Congress leader Koustav Bagchi held for derogatory remarks against Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
Kolkata,Mar 4: Kolkata Police has arrested Congress leader and advocate Koustav Bagchi for making derogatory remarks against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on a private television talk show.
Following his comments, a written complaint was lodged at the Burtolla Police Station in Kolkata, against the Congress leader, who has been vocal against the chief minister and the ruling party for a long time.
Police registered an FIR based on the complaint instantly.
A police team from Burtolla police station reached the leader’s residence at Barrackpore around 3 am. After being questioned for hours, the Congress spokesperson was arrested around 7:30 am on Saturday morning.
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According to Kolkata Police, a case under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 354A (sexual harassment), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 505 (act induces or is likely to induce any person to commit offence against state or against public tranquility), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) of the Indian penal code (IPC) has been registered against Bagchi.
Around 4 am on Saturday, Bagchi took to Facebook and wrote, “Finally I have been arrested.”
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Following his social media post, Congress workers started protesting in front of Burtolla Police Station, demanding Bagchi’s immediate release.
State Congress Spokesperson Suman Roy Chowdhury told India today, “I strongly condemn Kolkata Police for arresting Koustav Bagchi at midnight. The Mamata government cannot take away anyone’s freedom of speech. The government should release Koustav Bagchi immediately.”
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He also said, “As TMC faced defeat in the Murshidabad’s Sagardighi constituency bypoll, they are trying to take revenge by being vindictive. Attempts are being made to crush democracy and freedom of speech in this state.”
Before being taken to the police station, Bagchi took to Facebook, saying, “Jail k taale tutenge, Hum bohot hi jaldi chutenge..Lorai cholbe..Koustav Bagchi Jhukega Nahi..”
Kolkata Police said arrested Congress leader Koustav Bagchi will be produced before the Bankshall court today and they will push for his police custody.
-The India Today
