Former Panihati mayor Somnath Dey arrested in Bengaluru over rushed cremation of murder victim
Police captured ex-Panihati chairman Somnath Dey in Bengaluru, charging him with the hurried cremation of a junior doctor murdered at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College.
West Bengal authorities apprehended former Panihati municipality chairman and Trinamool Congress leader Somnath Dey in a Bengaluru guest house, alleging he orchestrated the rapid cremation of a junior doctor whose body was found after a July 9, 2024 rape-murder at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Dey had evaded police since June, and after a state-ordered fresh investigation he was tracked through several cities before being caught.
The move comes after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari launched an inquiry and named three TMC leaders from Panihati—Dey, former councillor Sanjib Mukherjee and former legislator Nirmal Ghosh—as prime suspects; the latter two were arrested in August. The victim’s mother, BJP MLA Ratna Debnath, accused the three of conspiring in her daughter’s death. Police say the cremation at Nataghat crematorium was irregular, with the victim’s family not signing required documents or paying fees. Dey will be presented to a Bengaluru court today and then transferred to Bengal on transit remand.
Why it matters
The case highlights alleged political interference and possible cover-up in a high-profile murder investigation.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage emphasizes the arrest of former mayor Somnath Dey and the political investigation, while centrist coverage centers on the victim’s mother’s anger over the stalled probe and lack of progress.
LEFT
Focuses on the arrest of the former mayor and the political inquiry into the rushed cremation.
CENTER
Highlights the victim’s mother’s criticism of the slow justice process despite a change in government.
The left emphasises
- Somnath Dey was apprehended in Bengaluru on accusations of orchestrating a rapid cremation
- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari launched an inquiry and named TMC leaders as suspects
- The victim’s mother, BJP MLA Ratna Debnath, accused the three leaders of conspiracy
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