North 24 Parganas, West Bengal: In a tragic incident on Wednesday, Bholanath Ghosh, a key witness in cases related to the January 2024 attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Sandeshkhali, sustained critical injuries when a truck collided with his car on the Basanti Highway near Basirhat. The accident claimed the lives of his younger son, Satyajit Ghosh (32), and the car’s driver, Sahanur Molla (27).

The collision occurred near the Boyramari petrol pump, under the jurisdiction of Nazat Police Station, when the truck, reportedly speeding from the opposite direction, rammed into Ghosh’s vehicle. According to police sources, the truck dragged the car for a considerable distance before it plunged into a water body alongside the highway. The truck itself came to a precarious halt over the water body, while the driver fled the scene.

Police Response and Medical Assistance

Following the crash, Ghosh was initially taken to a local hospital in Minakhan for emergency treatment and subsequently shifted to a private hospital in Kolkata for specialized care. The bodies of Satyajit and Sahanur Molla were transported to SSKM Hospital in Kolkata for post-mortem examination. Basirhat Superintendent of Police Hossain Mehedi Rahaman confirmed the sequence of events and emphasized that a formal investigation has been launched into the incident.

Allegations of Foul Play

The family of Ghosh suspects that the accident was a premeditated attempt on his life. Ghosh’s elder son, Biswajit, claimed that the attack was orchestrated by jailed Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan, against whom Ghosh had provided critical testimony. “My father is a prime witness in cases in which Shahjahan is an accused. This was not an accident; it was a deliberate attempt to eliminate him,” Biswajit told reporters.

Ghosh had been en route to the Basirhat Sub-Divisional Court to appear in connection with multiple cases filed against him by Shahjahan, highlighting the sensitive nature of the situation and the potential motive for targeting him. Eyewitnesses at the scene corroborated the claim of reckless driving, noting that the truck hit the vehicle at high speed, crushing it before it fell into the adjacent water body.

Background: Sandeshkhali Violence Cases

Bholanath Ghosh has been a key witness in several high-profile cases arising from mob attacks on ED officials during searches at Shahjahan’s residence in January 2024. The incidents prompted widespread outrage in the local community, leading to protests in Sandeshkhali, largely led by villagers and local women, demanding the arrest of Shahjahan and his aides over allegations of land grabbing and sexual assault.

Following these events, the Calcutta High Court ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the attacks. Shahjahan, along with his aides Shibaprasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar, was subsequently arrested. Ghosh’s testimony has been crucial in the ongoing investigation, making him a central figure in the judicial proceedings surrounding the case.

Ongoing Investigation

Police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision. The identity and whereabouts of the truck driver remain unknown, and law enforcement officials are seeking to ascertain whether the incident was purely accidental or intentionally orchestrated. Family members have yet to lodge formal complaints, but authorities have confirmed that the case will be thoroughly probed given the witness’s high-profile involvement in politically sensitive cases.

Community Reaction

The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community in North 24 Parganas, raising concerns about the safety of witnesses involved in politically charged cases. Residents and local activists have highlighted the risks faced by individuals cooperating with law enforcement against powerful political figures.

As the investigation progresses, authorities are expected to examine CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts, and vehicle data to determine whether the crash was deliberate. The case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by key witnesses in high-profile political and criminal investigations, particularly in regions with entrenched political rivalries.

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