Kolkata: Five years after a 40-year-old BJP worker was allegedly killed in post-poll violence at Sandeshkhali in North 24-Parganas, his body was exhumed from a grave near Nazat on Sunday in the presence of a magistrate for a fresh post-mortem and forensic examination.Police have launched a fresh investigation based on a complaint by the family of the deceased, Astik Chandra Das, who alleged that his body was buried to destroy evidence after his murder. “Based on the complaint, the body was exhumed from the grave on Sunday in the presence of a magistrate. Police officers, doctors and forensic experts were also present during the process. The body will undergo a fresh post-mortem and forensic examination as part of the renewed investigation,” a senior officer of the Basirhat District police said.Das, a resident of Jhajhania in Kalinagar under Nazat police station, was allegedly beaten after the 2021 assembly election results were declared on May 3. His family alleged that he was seriously injured but was prevented from being taken to hospital.Astik’s daughter Papia Mondal said, “In 2021, my father was beaten by Trinamool workers for supporting BJP. My father was also associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. They beat him severely with bamboo sticks, lathis and belts…”“He later died at home. Despite our repeated appeals, police had refused to accept our written complaint against the accused at the time and that even we were not allowed to conduct a post-mortem. We were threatened and forced to bury the body,” she added.
