Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Questions Persist Over Activist’s Father’s Death After Assault
Sheikh Abdul Hafiz visited a local school to show problems with its facilities.
He says a group of men then attacked him and his parents at home.
His father, Sheikh Mohammed Mafik, was hurt in the incident.
Mafik went to a hospital two days later and died that night.
Police agree that an assault happened but say his injuries were minor and did not cause his death.
Hafiz’s family believes the attack and his father’s death were connected.
The chief minister denies that the Bharatiya Janata Party was involved.
Police have arrested eight people and are looking for two others.
Political groups are asking for more investigation and protection for the family.
Sheikh Mohammed Mafik was assaulted on August 13 and died two days later after being admitted to Burdwan Medical College.
His son, Sheikh Abdul Hafiz, says BJP workers attacked the family after he filmed poor conditions at a local primary school.
Police say Mafik suffered only minor injuries requiring one stitch and deny that the assault caused his death.
Eight people have been arrested, while two others remain absconding in a case involving murder and other charges.
The Cockroach Janata Party and CPI(M) have demanded further arrests, security for the family and a court-monitored investigation.
- Who
- Sheikh Mohammed Mafik, his son Sheikh Abdul Hafiz, the accused attackers, West Bengal police and political groups including the Cockroach Janata Party and CPI(M).
- What
- Mafik died after being assaulted at his home, while authorities and the family disagree over whether the assault caused his death.
- When
- Mafik was assaulted on August 13 and died on August 15; political leaders visited or contacted the family afterward.
- Where
- Karisunda village in West Bengal; Mafik was later admitted to Burdwan Medical College.
- Why
- Hafiz says the attack followed his visit to a local school to document problems, while the chief minister says the incident was unrelated to politics.
Family and political critics
Police and government position
Cause of death
Family and political critics
Hafiz and his family believe Mafik died because of injuries sustained when attackers assaulted him.
Police and government position
Police say the assault caused only minor injuries and that Mafik later died after severe blood-pressure fluctuations; they called claims linking the death directly to a brutal assault false.
Political involvement
Family and political critics
Hafiz says the attackers were BJP workers and that the family had received threats after his return from a Jantar Mantar protest and his school visit.
Police and government position
Chief Minister Adhikari denies any BJP role, saying the accused were criminals and that the incident had no political connection.
Police response
Family and political critics
The family, CJP and CPI(M) allege that police downplayed the incident and failed to help, and they want all suspects arrested and the investigation monitored by a court.
Police and government position
Police say they arrested eight suspects, filed serious charges and are conducting searches for the two people who remain absconding.
- Victim
- Sheikh Mohammed Mafik, a 50-year-old labourer and shop worker
- Assault date
- August 13
- Death date
- August 15
- Police account
- Police said Mafik had minor injuries requiring one stitch and later experienced severe blood-pressure fluctuations.
- Arrests
- Eight people were arrested; two others were reported absconding.
- Charges
- The case includes murder, criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation, trespass and voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
- Family’s demand
- Hafiz rejected compensation and asked for a high-quality government school to be built in his father’s name.