Bengal has a history of mystery deaths

...and of victims of delayed and denied justice

KOLKATA: The public outcry over the Rizwanur Rahman case may be gaining momentum, but the 30 years of Left rule in West Bengal is replete with many such mysterious deaths and disappearances where investigations have been inconclusive and justice elusive.

Most of these cases had grabbed media attention with allegations of political conspiracy. But they soon faded from public memory and the culprits were not even booked, let alone punished.

The brutal rape and murder of a health worker had even provoked the now infamous remark by then chief minister Jyoti Basu that “these things happen”.

At a time when Rizwanur’s death has triggered candlelight vigils, online petitions, and demonstrations seeking a CBI probe and action against the policemen involved, DNA takes a look at the high-profile cases that stirred hearts and grabbed headlines in the past.

Bhikhari Paswan’s disappearance: A police team led by then additional superintendent of Hooghly Harmanprit Singh picked up jute mill worker Bhikari Paswan from his residence on October 30, 1993. Paswan has been missing since. Following public outrage, the case was handed over to the CBI, but investigations remained inconclusive. Why Paswan was picked up remains a mystery. Singh is presently an inspector-general of police and received all his promotions in time, including prize postings

Ramzan Ali murder: The All-India Forward Block MLA was found killed in November 1994 at the MLA hostel in central Kolkata. Investigations revealed his wife Talat and her paramour Nurul were involved. Newspaper reports hinted at a larger political conspiracy, but the case was never solved

Rape and murder of Anita Dewan: The government health officer on an assignment to Bantala, near Kolkata, was gangraped and murdered by a group of men in 1994. Anita’s driver was also killed. Then chief minister Jyoti Basy simply said, “Such things happen”, inviting criticism and outrage. Some persons were arrested, only to be released for lack of evidence. The case is unsolved.

Manisha Mukherjee's disappearance: The Calcutta University professor disappeared after she left for the university from her residence in 1998. Mukherjee was a close associate of top CPI(M) leaders. The CBI took charge of the probe only to fail once again.

Custody death of Idris Ali: The prime accused of and witness to the murder of Vinod Mehta, deputy commissioner (port), in 1994, was killed in police custody the same year. Ali is believed to have named several ruling party leaders in his confession before the police. Mehta’s crackdown on illegal activity in the city’s docks had earned him the ire of the dons with political connections. This case too remains unsolved. 

Choto Angaria carnage: Several Trinamool Congress supporters were burnt to death in their houses at Choto Angaria village in East Midnapore district in 2003. Local CPI(M) leaders allegedly masterminded the carnage. The CBI again came up with an inconclusive probe.

Will the Rizwanur probe meet the same fate? Will the real story be ever known? Will action be taken against errant police officers? Only time will tell.