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The death of Sutandra Chatterjee, a 27-year-old event manager and dancer, in a road accident in West Bengal has sparked a complex investigation involving allegations of drunk driving, harassment, and police discrepancies, ultimately leading to a political uproar. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday on NH19 in Panagarh, Kanksa, West Burdwan district, when Chatterjee's vehicle overturned after allegedly being chased by occupants of a white car. Chatterjee, who was the sole breadwinner for her family, succumbed to her injuries at the scene, while her colleagues sustained injuries. The immediate aftermath of the accident has been clouded by conflicting accounts from witnesses, police investigations, and accusations of a cover-up, fueling public anger and drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties against the Trinamool Congress government.
According to initial reports, the police commissioner of Durgapur-Asansol, Sunil Kumar Choudhary, attributed the accident to a failed overtaking attempt. He stated that CCTV footage showed Chatterjee's car chasing the white car, suggesting a road race gone wrong. However, Chatterjee's colleagues, Mintu Mondal and Rajdeo Sharma, offered a drastically different version of events. They claimed that the occupants of the white car had been harassing Chatterjee with lewd gestures and ramming her car multiple times over a 10-kilometer stretch. Sharma alleged that five men in the white car were constantly honking and making obscene gestures, repeatedly overtaking and then slowing down to taunt them. This account directly contradicts the police's assertion that the incident was simply a case of reckless driving and a failed overtaking maneuver. The discovery of empty liquor bottles and disposable glasses inside the abandoned white car further supports the allegations of drunk driving, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation.
The conflicting narratives have fueled suspicions of a potential cover-up, particularly among Chatterjee's family and opposition parties. Chatterjee's mother, Tanusree Chatterjee, expressed disbelief in the police's version of events and voiced her anguish over the lack of safety and security for women in the state. She questioned the effectiveness of policing on the highway and criticized the authorities for the lack of arrests in the case. Her grief and frustration reflect a broader sentiment of distrust towards the police and the government, particularly in cases involving allegations of harassment and violence against women. This sentiment is amplified by the fact that Chatterjee's father had passed away from cancer just eight months prior, leaving the family in a vulnerable position. The opposition parties have seized upon this incident to attack the Trinamool Congress government, accusing it of failing to maintain law and order and protect its citizens.
BJP's chief spokesperson for Bengal, Samik Bhattacharya, stated that hooligans were ruling the state, implying that the government was complicit in allowing such incidents to occur. CPM state secretary Md Salim drew parallels between Chatterjee's death and the RG Kar incident, where a young doctor was brutally raped and murdered, highlighting a perceived pattern of violence against women and government inaction. The CPM's local leaders have visited Chatterjee's mother to offer their support, further politicizing the tragedy. The police, while maintaining that they are investigating all angles, have also raised questions about the circumstances of Chatterjee's death, noting that she was the only passenger who died on the spot, while the others escaped with relatively minor injuries. This detail has added to the speculation and uncertainty surrounding the case.
The investigation has also focused on the white SUV allegedly involved in the incident. Police identified the owner of the vehicle as Bablu Yadav, a car-scrap dealer from Panagarh, but have been unable to locate him. A traffic violation registered against the SUV in Uttar Pradesh further suggests a history of reckless driving. The inability to locate Yadav and the conflicting accounts of the incident raise serious questions about the integrity of the investigation and the potential for obstruction of justice. The case highlights the complex interplay of social, political, and legal factors in India, where accusations of corruption, political interference, and gender-based violence are often intertwined. The pursuit of truth and justice for Sutandra Chatterjee requires a thorough and impartial investigation, free from political pressure and biases. The public's trust in the police and the government hinges on their ability to uncover the facts and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The case serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address issues of road safety, drunk driving, and gender-based violence in India, and to ensure that all citizens are protected under the law. The incident also underscores the importance of transparent and accountable governance, where law enforcement agencies are held to the highest standards of integrity and are committed to serving the interests of justice.
Source: Woman dies in accident after drunk highway chase in Bengal: 'Lewd gestures, multiple collisions'