The family of Hargobindo Das and his son Chandan Das, who lost their lives in the Murshidabad riots in April, plans to appeal for the death penalty for the 13 convicts sentenced to life imprisonment by the Jangipur sub-divisional court in West Bengal. Following a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, the family made this decision. They aim to pursue this legal action at the Calcutta High Court with Adhikari’s support.
The victims, residents of Jafrabad village in Murshidabad district, were killed while resisting rioters during communal unrest linked to protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act earlier this year. The sub-divisional court clarified that the murders were driven by personal vendetta rather than political motives. The Bharatiya Janata Party criticized the court’s stance, alleging an attempt to divert blame under the guise of opposing the Act.
The family had previously declined compensation from the state government but accepted support from Suvendu Adhikari. In response to the Murshidabad riots, the Calcutta High Court had ordered a Special Investigation Team’s formation and the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces, criticizing the state government’s handling of the situation as inadequate.
