Accused taken for rally violence reconstruction sparks political controversy

MP, July 27, 2026, Kolkata: Five of the 16 people arrested in connection with the violence and vandalism during Friday's rally were taken barefoot to Dharmatala's Dorina Crossing on Monday morning for a reconstruction of the alleged crime scene, as investigators sought to verify the sequence of events and establish their roles.

With two more arrests made on Monday, the total number of arrests in the case rose to 16.

The police have claimed that the accused were involved in the violence, vandalism and alleged attacks on journalists and police personnel during the protest.

While a relative of one of the accused, Sheikh Salman, said: "My brother is innocent. He was seen in videos cleaning the area of the protest. He is being targeted for no reason."

However, TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh questioned the manner in which the investigation was being conducted.

He asked why, if the police were reconstructing the incident in broad daylight on Monday morning, a similar reconstruction was allegedly carried out in Baruipur at midnight.

Ghosh also questioned why no video of the alleged encounter in Baruipur had been provided till date.

Meanwhile, in Panihati, North 24 Parganas, TMC worker Deep Saha was allegedly paraded through the locality with a rope tied around his waist after residents spotted him in the area.

He was reportedly forced to perform sit-ups in public and apologise before being handed over to police.

Saha, who is known to be close to a local TMC councillor, has been accused by residents of intimidation, vandalism and creating an atmosphere of terror during the previous regime.

He had allegedly left the area after the change in government in 2026.

The incident is among several cases of public parades involving TMC workers and leaders that have now emerged from various districts.