Murshidabad Violence: A Calcutta High Court-appointed panel exposes police inaction and identifies a local councillor’s role in Dhulian violence during anti-Waqf protests in Murshidabad, West Bengal.
Murshidabad, West Bengal — May 20, 2025: In a damning revelation, a committee appointed by the Calcutta High Court has submitted a report citing complete police inaction and direct involvement of a local councillor in the violence that shook Dhulian town in Murshidabad district during anti-Waqf protests. The violence, which erupted between April 8 and April 12, has left several families displaced and property worth lakhs damaged.
Police ‘Inactive and Absent’ During Dhulian Violence
The three-member committee, formed for the identification and rehabilitation of the victims, stated in its report that local police were “completely inactive and absent” during the critical hours of violence in Dhulian on April 11. The panel also alleged that a local councillor played a key role in directing the attacks, adding a serious political dimension to the communal unrest.
The report further highlighted that a garments mall in Dhulian was looted during the chaos. The “main attack” took place on the afternoon of April 11, and victims described how they received no assistance from local law enforcement despite repeated calls for help.
Who Was on the Committee?
The panel included:
- Joginder Singh, Registrar (Law), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
- Satya Arnab Ghosal, Member Secretary, West Bengal Legal Services Authority (WBLSA)
- Saugata Chakraborty, Registrar, West Bengal Judicial Services (WBJS)
This team visited the affected areas and interacted with victims as per the Calcutta High Court’s directive issued on April 17.
Custom Rehabilitation Needed, Says Court
The division bench comprising Justices Soumen Sen and Raja Basu Chowdhury, while reviewing the report, emphasized the need for customized rehabilitation for each affected family. The court observed,
“Appointing qualified valuation experts is the only possible remedy to the state’s failure to protect a section of its citizens.”
It stressed that individualized packages are essential to compensate for the losses suffered by residents due to the violence.
Earlier Government Report Highlights Mob Violence
In a separate report submitted by the West Bengal government, authorities admitted to widespread violence across Suti, Dhulian, Samserganj, and Jangipur between April 8 and April 12. The report detailed that protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 began on April 4 and gradually turned violent.
Tragically, the violence claimed the lives of Haragobinda Das and his son Chandan Das, who were lynched by a mob on April 12 in Jafrabad under the Samserganj police station.
Central Forces Deployed After Situation Escalates
The West Bengal government’s report noted that as the situation spiraled out of control, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were deployed in Samserganj on April 11. Additional forces were dispatched on April 12 following orders from the Calcutta High Court to restore law and order.
What’s Next?
With the panel’s findings now submitted, the Calcutta High Court is expected to direct the state government to take action against the erring officials and ensure that compensation and rehabilitation reach the affected families without further delay. Legal experts believe this could set a precedent for stricter accountability in cases of communal and political violence in West Bengal.