The Friday’s try on TMC councillor Sushant Ghosh’s life in Kasba, Kolkata, was not the primary. It was the third homicide try on him within the final 5 months, based on Kolkata Police. Additionally, all of the three makes an attempt on the TMC leaders’ life — first in July after which in October this yr — had been made by members of a Bihar-based prison, Pappu Chowdhury, who was employed by the primary accused, Md Afroz alias Gulzar. Gulzar and Ghosh are mentioned to be concerned in a land dispute.
To date, Kolkata Police has arrested three individuals — Md Afroz alias Gulzar, who had allegedly employed the Bihar-based criminals to kill Ghosh; Yuvraj Kumar Singh, a member of the Pappu Chowdhury gang, whose gun malfunctioned on the final minute, and proving live-saver for Ghosh; and taxi driver Ahmed Khan. Whereas Gulzar and Ahmed Khan are native residents, Yuvraj is from Bihar.
“Throughout interrogation, Gulzar initially claimed that he had employed the killers for Rs 10 lakh. Later, he modified his assertion and mentioned that killers got Rs 50 lakh. The scooter, which was utilized by shooter Yuvraj, was purchased by Gulzar only a week earlier than the homicide try and its quantity plate was modified,” mentioned a police officer, including the scooter was recovered on Tuesday.
The hyperlink of the Bihar-based prison gang within the case got here to mild after Yuvraj received arrested, the officer mentioned.
Ghosh narrowly escaped the assassination try in entrance of his residence in Kasba space of Kolkata on Friday night after the shooter’s gun malfunctioned. The shooter was chased by Ghosh and residents of the realm and was handed over to the police.
The shooter was recognized as Yuvraj Singh, who instructed the police that he and three different members of Pappu Chowdhury gang had come to Kolkata from Vaishali in Bihar to kill Ghosh. Whereas Yuvraj has been arrested, the three others, together with Sushil and Chandu, are but to be traced.
A workforce of Kolkata Police additionally visited Bihar to hint the opposite accused.
“There in Bihar, we discovered that shooter Yuvraj was a brand new recruit of the gang. We additionally got here to know that there are over 40 circumstances towards the remaining three individuals in several police stations in Bihar. We learnt that the 4 members of the gang after reaching Kolkata modified their SIM playing cards, which Gulzar gave to them,” mentioned a police officer.
In line with police sources, one other title has additionally cropped up within the investigation.
“Zulkar is concerned in Friday’s incident at Kasba. There are greater than 150 circumstances towards him,” mentioned a supply.
In line with the investigators, a property dispute between Gulzar and the TMC councillor was the explanation behind the crime.
“Nevertheless, we’re looking for out the precise motive that led Gulzar to rent killers from Bihar to remove Ghosh,” mentioned a senior police officer.
The involvement of Bihar-based criminals have raised severe issues with the police coming below the criticism from ruling TMC leaders.
Senior TMC chief Sougata Roy expressed his frustration, saying, “Individuals pay salaries to the police. They did a commendable job throughout Durga Puja, however how can 9mm pistols from Bihar enter Bengal? What are these police doing? Can’t they cease it?”
