Bengal Police clarifies that mistake in date of FIR against former CPI-M MLA was inadvertent

In a recent development, a senior official from West Bengal Police admitted the error in the date of the FIR against former CPI-M legislator Nirapada Sardar, based on which he was arrested for allegedly inciting violence in Sandeshkhali. Additional Director General of Police (South Bengal), Supratim Sarkar, acknowledged the mistake while interacting with the media.
Sarkar explained, “The police arrested Nirapada Sardar on February 11 based on an FIR registered on February 9. However, the date on the complaint was recorded as February 10 due to an inadvertent mistake.” He assured that the police have all the details of the error and will update the court accordingly.
Despite Sarkar’s clarification, CPI-M central committee member Dr. Sujan Chakraborty dismissed it as a lame excuse, alleging that such mistakes occur when the police blindly serve the interests of the ruling party. Chakraborty claimed that the arrest of Sardar was pre-planned, with errors made in executing the script.
Nirapada Sardar had filed a bail petition in the Calcutta High Court, citing the date discrepancies as an attempt to frame him. The Division Bench of Justice Debangsu Basak and Justice Shabbar Rashidi raised concerns over the police’s intentions behind Sardar’s arrest and ordered his immediate release on bail on February 28.
It was revealed that Sardar was arrested based on a complaint filed by local Trinamool Congress leader Shibu Hazra, who was later implicated in various charges including land grabbing, sexual harassment, and violence against women in Sandeshkhali. The case has sparked criticism and raised questions about the police’s handling of the situation.
The situation continues to unfold as investigations into the matter are ongoing, with both sides presenting their arguments. The discrepancies in the dates of the FIR have brought the spotlight on the functioning of the West Bengal Police and their approach towards handling political clashes in the region.