Kolkata: Three days after the death of a Trinamool worker after alleged police torture, CM Suvendu Adhikari met the victim’s family and said “it was clear as daylight” that 48-year-old Birju Keot had died in police custody. Investigating officer Vivek Malik has been suspended and Halisahar police station officer-in charge Tamal Dutta has been closed to police lines, CM added.North 24 Parganas district magistrate Shilpa Gourisaria will conduct an inquiry into Keot’s death.On Monday morning, Adhikari went to Halisahar and spoke at length with Keot’s wife Jenny, a former Trinamool councillor. He said the family would get a one-time compensation of Rs 10 lakh from CM’s Relief Fund for the education of the couple’s two children, and that Jenny would be employed as one of the three attendants to which he, as home minister, is entitled. As an attendant, Jenny will receive a monthly payment of Rs 15,000 for one year, after which she will be offered a permanent govt job.“The fact that he (Keot) died in police custody is as clear as daylight. But I cannot say how much torture he was subjected to or how he died until I receive the postmortem report,” Adhikari said.Thanking Keot’s family for maintaining faith in govt despite being TMC supporters, CM said, “They did not allow anyone to politicise the death. The former chief minister visited Halisahar, but did not meet the family. The deceased’s brother said the family wanted justice and had placed its faith in the govt. This is a major responsibility for us.”Adding that he was carrying out ‘Raj Dharma’, Adhikari said, “Unlike former chief ministers, despite the victim being a TMC worker and his wife a former TMC councillor, I visited the family and assured it of all possible assistance.”Former CM Mamata Banerjee’s car came under attack when she visited the area on Sunday, with a crowd allegedly hurling stones, bricks, mud and slippers at her SUV.Ruling out any investigation or action, CM claimed that the attack was an expression of “public anger” and there was no evidence of stones being hurled at her vehicle. “No action will be taken. You (Banerjee) came yesterday without informing the police. There is no evidence of stones being thrown at your car. Our MLA informed the police as soon as he came to know about the situation, and the police took necessary steps,” Adhikari said.“Had you informed the police in advance, the administration would certainly have taken appropriate measures. You had 315 BJP workers killed over 15 years. Whenever you visit a place, please inform the police. You can inform the Kolkata CP, the DIG… anyone you prefer. As a former chief minister, you are provided z-plus security, and ensuring your complete security is our responsibility,” he added.The attack on Banerjee’s car had drawn condemnation not just from the opposition but also from state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya and minister Agnimitra Paul.Keot had been arrested on several allegations, including extortion. He was produced before a court on Friday, which remanded him to five days of police custody. On Saturday, however, the family was informed that he had died the night before. His wife alleged that Keot died after being assaulted by cops inside the lockup.On Monday, even while thanking CM for meeting her and assuring support, Jenny demanded strict punishment for the cops allegedly responsible for Keot’s death. “My main demand is justice. Those who tortured my husband to death must be punished,” she said.According to Jenny, her husband’s body had bruises, marks suggesting scalding, and puncture wounds on the feet, which she believed were caused by nails.
