Mamata Banerjee condemns alleged assault on Calcutta High Court advocate in Salboni

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday condemned the alleged assault on Calcutta High Court advocate and newly elected West Bengal Bar Council member Shamim Ahmed near Salboni police station in West Midnapore district, and demanded action against those responsible.

In a post on X, Banerjee said she was “deeply disturbed” by the incident and claimed that Ahmed was also pressured to alter his complaint following the attack. She said the lawyer returned home safely after the intervention of the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court.

The incident reportedly involved a group of lawyers from the Calcutta High Court and Midnapore court who were travelling through the Dhadika Bazar area before reaching Salboni police station. The lawyers alleged that they were targeted three times and that sticks, shovels and bamboo were used during the attacks.

Three male lawyers and two female lawyers from the Calcutta High Court were reportedly injured. The women lawyers also alleged harassment during the incident.

West Midnapore Police subsequently escorted the lawyers out of the area for their safety. However, they were allegedly attacked again near Salboni police station, where three vehicles were vandalised.

Banerjee also referred to recent attacks on advocates at Bankshall Court in Kolkata and Baruipur Court in South 24 Parganas, saying such incidents were unacceptable.

“West Bengal cannot permit a culture of intimidation and JUNGLE RAJ to prevail,” she said, asserting that the rule of law must prevail over political violence and that advocates, irrespective of their political affiliation or ideology, should be able to perform their professional duties without fear.

Banerjee alleged that BJP workers were behind repeated attacks on advocates and urged the administration to ensure their safety and take “firm, impartial action” against those responsible.

The BJP has denied involvement in the incident, according to reports.