Kolkata, Oct. 9 -- An attack on senior advocate and CPI(M) leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya's residence and a 24-hour ultimatum from CM Suvendu Adhikari over an allegedly objectionable social media post brought political tensions to the fore on Friday.
A youth was arrested in the early hours for allegedly attacking Bhattacharya's residence. Adhikari condemned the incident and said police had arrested the accused, whom he alleged was a TMC worker.
Adhikari also warned Bhattacharya of stringent legal action under the BNS over a social media post allegedly hurting Hindu sentiments, asking him to withdraw it within 24 hours. He said complaints had been lodged and FIRs registered against the CPI(M) leader at two Kolkata police stations.
"I condemn the hurling of bottles at his residence. At the same time, nobody has the right to attack any religion or community. I am warning Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya. There is no reason to think Hindus are weak. He is not above the law either," Adhikari said.
He added: "What does Bhattacharya mean by Hindutva supporters? He has attacked Hindus as a whole and insulted their religious sentiments. An FIR has been lodged against him."
The 'attack' occurred in the early hours of Thursday, at Bhattacharya's residence in the Purbalok area. According to police, a motorcycle-borne individual hurled beer bottles at the house, smashing window panes.
Bhattacharya, a former Rajya Sabha MP and prominent legal figure, filed a police complaint. He also took to social media to allege that 'Hindutvawadi miscreants' and BJP-backed goons were behind the targeted vandalism.
According to police, during the probe, police checked the footage of several CCTV camera's and subsequently identified the accused identified as Bappa Guchait of Narendrapur. Early on Friday morning, he was picked up from his residence, and the motorcycle was seized.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.