First attempt-to-murder arrest after Nabanna rally violence
Times of India | 14 August 2025
Kolkata: Four days after footage clearly showed a constable of Kolkata Police, Prasanta Poddar, being assaulted and hit on the head with boots and chappals after being thrown on the street during the Nabanna protest, Lalbazar carried out its first arrest in the case.
Attempt-to-murder charge was slapped on the accused, Chandan Gupta and hailing from Jagaddal in North 24 Parganas, is reportedly a close aide of a prominent North 24 Parganas BJP leader. "We arrested Gupta from Bentick Street and BB Ganguly Street Crossing for his direct involvement in the case registered at New Market PS under sections of 109(1)/121(2)/3(5) of BNS. He faces attempted murder charges and was identified using CCTV footage, videos, and photographs. Around five of the perpetrators have been identified, and raids are on to nab the others," said Joint CP (crime and traffic) Rupesh Kumar.
| Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in KolkataThe Nabanna protest, supported by the parents of the RG Kar rape-and-murder victim, led to chaos at Park Street intersection on Saturday. When the cops stopped the march, a confrontation ensued. Police used batons, and the victim's mother claimed she was injured during the baton charge. It was here that Poddar was kicked on the head after falling down on the street.
The accused, Gupta, was presented in the chief judicial magistrate's court, where the judge ordered police custody until Aug 15.
BJP leader Arjun Singh said: "We are proud that he was arrested while seeking justice for Abhaya.
" According to the BJP leader, the police were baton-charging a protester, and Gupta intervened. Suddenly, the cop accidentally collided with him and fell, leading to a case against him. He denied Gupta hit the constable with his shoes.
According to police sources, Gupta is the secretary of BJP's Bhatpara No. 2 Mandal and is very close to Arjun Singh.
Earlier, Kolkata Police summoned six BJP leaders and functionaries, including a sitting MLA, in connection with three separate cases of violence during the Nabanna rally last Saturday.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays, public holidays, and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.