Somnath Dey, the former Panihati civic body chief, was attacked by a mob outside the Khardah police station on Friday during his transit to court. He remains a key suspect in the investigation regarding the alleged destruction of evidence in the 2024 RG Kar Medical College rape-murder case.
A significant escalation in law and order concerns occurred in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district on Friday, September 4, 2026. Somnath Dey, the former chairman of the Panihati Municipality, faced a violent mob attack while police officials were attempting to transport him from the Khardah police station to the Barrackpore court for legal proceedings.
The incident involved a large crowd that confronted police personnel, throwing stones, bricks, and raw eggs at the vehicle escorting the accused. Despite the security measures in place, several police officers sustained injuries while trying to shield Dey from the protesters. The intensity of the unrest forced law enforcement to prioritize an immediate and secure extraction to ensure the accused could reach the judiciary as scheduled.
This event is directly tied to the high-profile investigation into the 2024 RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case. Somnath Dey, who was recently arrested in Bengaluru after several months of evading authorities, is accused of playing a central role in a conspiracy to destroy evidence. Investigators are currently focusing on the alleged hurried and unauthorized cremation of the victim’s remains, which they believe was an attempt to prevent a second post-mortem examination and obscure the truth.
The ongoing legal probe has led to several high-profile arrests, signaling a deep-rooted investigation into the alleged cover-up. Dey is the latest figure to be taken into custody, joining former Panihati MLA Nirmal Ghosh and ex-councillor Sanjib Mukhopadhyay. Both of these individuals remain in judicial custody as investigators continue to seek further remand to piece together the coordination behind the alleged procedural irregularities.
From a governance and stability perspective, the recurring violence in this region during the transit of accused individuals is a material concern. Public anger remains high, driven by perceptions of transparency failures and the nature of the alleged evidence destruction. For those monitoring the stability of the North 24 Parganas region, the persistent civil unrest and the strain on law enforcement resources remain key monitorables. The situation highlights the challenges authorities face in maintaining order while navigating a case that has generated significant public outcry and continued political scrutiny.