Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Mamata Banerjee Condemns Attack on Lawyers in West Midnapore
A group of lawyers went to villages in West Midnapore to offer legal help to people who had reportedly left their homes after clashes.
The lawyers said they were attacked several times while travelling back.
Reports said five lawyers were hurt and three vehicles were damaged.
Women lawyers were also reportedly harassed.
Mamata Banerjee condemned the attacks and blamed BJP supporters.
BJP Salboni MLA Biman Mahata said no one from his party was involved.
Banerjee said Samim Ahammed was pressured to change his complaint and later got home safely.
She also condemned reported attacks on lawyers at two courts.
The reports do not establish who carried out the assaults.
Mamata Banerjee condemned an assault on advocate Samim Ahammed and other lawyers in West Midnapore on Saturday.
The lawyers said they were attacked repeatedly while returning from villages in Garbeta, where they had gone to offer legal help to Left supporters reportedly driven from their homes.
Reports said five lawyers were injured, women lawyers were allegedly harassed, and three vehicles were vandalised.
Banerjee alleged BJP supporters were responsible and said Ahammed was pressured to change his complaint; BJP Salboni MLA Biman Mahata denied party involvement.
Ahammed reportedly returned home after intervention by the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice; Banerjee also condemned reported attacks at Bankshall and Baruipur courts.
- Who
- Advocate Samim Ahammed and a group of lawyers were reportedly attacked; Mamata Banerjee condemned the assault, while BJP Salboni MLA Biman Mahata denied party involvement.
- What
- Lawyers reported repeated attacks while returning from villages where they had gone to provide legal assistance; five were reported injured and three vehicles vandalised.
- When
- The attacks were reported on Saturday; Banerjee condemned them on Sunday, October 4.
- Where
- Near Dhadika and Salboni in West Midnapore, West Bengal.
- Why
- The lawyers said they had gone to provide legal support to people reportedly forced from their homes; the reports do not establish a motive for the attacks.
Banerjee's allegation
BJP denial and unverified responsibility
Who was responsible
Banerjee's allegation
Banerjee accused BJP supporters of carrying out the attacks.
BJP denial and unverified responsibility
BJP Salboni MLA Biman Mahata denied party involvement; the reports do not independently establish who was responsible.
Police protection
Banerjee's allegation
A senior lawyer alleged police initially arranged an escort but would not take the lawyers beyond Garbeta police station's jurisdiction; another report said police later escorted them for safety.
BJP denial and unverified responsibility
The reports describe police assistance as well as alleged attacks continuing in the presence of police or after an escort was provided.
- Advocate named
- Samim Ahammed, also rendered as Samim Ahmed or Shamim Ahmed in reports
- Reported route
- The lawyers were reportedly attacked near Dhadika and other locations while returning toward Salboni.
- Reported injuries
- Five lawyers were reported injured: three men and two women.
- Reported damage
- Three vehicles were reportedly vandalised.
- Banerjee's allegation
- She blamed BJP supporters and said Ahammed was pressured to alter his complaint.
- BJP response
- BJP Salboni MLA Biman Mahata denied that anyone from the party was involved.
- Other incidents cited
- Banerjee also condemned reported attacks on advocates at Bankshall Court and Baruipur Court.
