Murshidabad Communal Violence: Chargesheet Filed in Murder of Harogobinda Das and Son; 13 Accused Identified as Local Residents

 In a major breakthrough in the Murshidabad communal violence case, West Bengal Police have filed a comprehensive chargesheet in connection with the brutal murders of Harogobinda Das and his son, Chandan Das. The killings occurred on April 11, amid widespread communal unrest across Dhuliyan and Suti, leaving the region reeling with tension for several days.

The chargesheet, filed within 55 days of the incident, names 13 individuals, all of whom are residents of the Samserganj police station area. The document includes specific addresses and identities of the accused, categorically dismissing earlier speculation of "outsider involvement" in the violence. This directly contradicts the ruling Trinamool Congress's (TMC) repeated claims that elements from outside the district had instigated the clashes.

Speaking on the development, an investigating officer stated:

“Our main objective is to ensure conviction. We have gathered strong scientific and digital evidence, including extensive CCTV footage, that clearly places the accused at the crime scene. We are confident this will lead to conviction very soon.”

The charges against the accused include rioting, dacoity, mob lynching, and murder, supported by a range of forensic and technological evidence. According to police sources, multiple CCTV recordings were retrieved from the affected areas, providing critical leads in the case.

The incident took place during a period of heightened communal unrest, reportedly triggered by protests against anti-waqf actions. However, local testimonies and FIRs suggest that the violence rapidly escalated and was disproportionately targeted against a particular community.

Over 113 homes were vandalised and several temples desecrated during the clashes that spread across Jangipur, Samserganj, and Dhuliyan between April 10 and 11. Describing the scale of devastation, a local resident told News18, “Nothing was left untouched.”

A three-member fact-finding team that visited the riot-hit areas highlighted the alleged presence of a local TMC leader during the violence, further intensifying political debate. While the current chargesheet specifically pertains to the double homicide, police have confirmed that additional chargesheets will follow as the investigation progresses.

So far, authorities have registered nearly 60 FIRs and arrested over 300 individuals in connection with the communal clashes. BJP MP Locket Chatterjee responded to the latest police findings, stating:

“The chargesheet itself proves that all accused are locals. TMC’s outsider theory has completely collapsed.”

Police remain optimistic about a strong legal outcome, with senior officials asserting that the investigation is being pursued with “maximum rigour and objectivity.”