Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Suvendu's Keot visit, custody-death action a 'lesson' for Mamata
Something sad happened in a town called Halisahar.
A man named Birju Keot was arrested by the police, and he died while he was in their custody.
His family believes he was hurt badly in the police station.
The state's leader, Suvendu Adhikari, went to visit the family.
He said the police did wrong and promised to investigate.
He also gave the family money and promised the wife a new job.
But on her way to visit the same family, another leader named Mamata Banerjee was attacked by people throwing stones and mud at her car.
She said her political rivals were behind it.
Suvendu said the people were just angry and that Mamata did not tell the police she was coming.
Now the two political groups are arguing about who is right.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited Birju Keot's family in Halisahar and acknowledged police brutality in the Trinamool activist's custody death.
A day earlier, Mamata Banerjee's convoy was attacked with stones and mud on her way to the Keot home, which she called an attempt on her life.
Suvendu ordered an inquiry by the North 24-Parganas district magistrate, suspended the investigating officer and acted against the Halisahar police station OC.
He announced ₹10 lakh compensation, ₹15,000 monthly aid for a year and a Group D job for Keot's widow, Jennie Sharma Keot.
Suvendu framed his gesture as a 'lesson' for Mamata, while Trinamool alleged the convoy attack was 'state-sponsored' and instigated by PM Modi and Amit Shah.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and the family of Trinamool Congress activist Birju Keot, who died in police custody.
- What
- Suvendu visited the Keot family, acknowledged police brutality in the custody death, and announced an inquiry, compensation and a job, while the two parties clashed over an attack on Mamata's convoy.
- When
- The visit happened on Monday; Keot died on Saturday morning; Mamata's convoy was attacked on Sunday.
- Where
- Bijpur, Halisahar, in North 24-Parganas district, West Bengal; Keot died in a police lock-up there.
- Why
- To address the custody death of Birju Keot and manage the political fallout between the BJP-led state government and the Trinamool Congress.
Trinamool Congress (Opposition)
BJP-led state government
Attack on Mamata Banerjee's convoy
Trinamool Congress (Opposition)
A BJP mob blocked Mamata's convoy and attacked her car with stones and mud; Abhishek Banerjee called it 'dastardly, shameful and state-sponsored' and alleged it was instigated by PM Modi and Amit Shah.
BJP-led state government
Suvendu rejected any BJP role, describing Sunday's incident as a 'spontaneous expression of public anger' and noting Mamata visited the area without informing the police.
Extent of torture in the custody death
Trinamool Congress (Opposition)
The Keot family, led by wife Jennie Sharma Keot, alleges Birju Keot was beaten inside the lock-up.
BJP-led state government
Suvendu said it is clear Keot died in lock-up, but the extent of torture cannot be ascertained until the post-mortem report is received.
Suvendu's political approach
Trinamool Congress (Opposition)
Trinamool sees the episode as the BJP trying to eliminate political Opposition in Bengal; Mamata loyalists protested on the Assembly premises demanding the arrest of the attackers.
BJP-led state government
BJP leaders said Suvendu proved he is a 'people's chief minister' placing administrative accountability above partisan politics by standing by a family of Opposition supporters.
- Chief Minister
- Suvendu Adhikari
- Victim
- Birju Keot, Trinamool Congress activist, died in Halisahar police lock-up on Saturday morning
- Wife
- Jennie Sharma Keot, former Trinamool councillor
- Compensation
- ₹10 lakh cash; ₹15,000 per month for a year; Group D job for the wife
- Inquiry
- Ordered by North 24-Parganas district magistrate Shilpi Gourisaria
- Actions taken
- Investigating officer suspended; Halisahar police station OC 'closed'
- Convoy attack
- Mamata's car hit with stones and mud on Sunday en route to the Keot home; she called it an attempt on her life