Bidhannagar City Police have issued an arrest warrant against Raiganj Block Development Officer (BDO) Prashant Barman. Barman is accused in the murder of gold trader Swapan Kamilya in the Dattabad area of Salt Lake. The warrant was issued after the Calcutta High Court rejected Barman’s anticipatory bail plea and directed him to surrender within 72 hours.
The 72-hour deadline for Barman to surrender expired, leading to the issuance of the arrest warrant. Bidhannagar City Police confirmed this development. Additionally, the police sought enforcement of the warrant from the Bidhannagar Court, which was approved.
Swapan Kamilya was abducted on October 28 from a gold shop in Dattabad and later found dead in Jatragachi in New Town. A case of kidnapping and murder was registered, with the victim’s family accusing Barman of orchestrating the crime. Several associates of the BDO have been arrested, and the government vehicle allegedly used in the crime has been seized.
Barman, who denies the allegations, had previously obtained anticipatory bail, which was revoked by the Calcutta High Court. Despite his appeal to the Supreme Court, the arrest warrant stands. The Calcutta High Court criticized the lower court’s decision to grant bail, citing a lack of consideration for crucial evidence in a murder case.
