In a heated exchange between West Bengal’s ruling TMC and Maharashtra’s law enforcement, Pune Police attributed the brutal killing of Purulia native Sukhen Mahato to a alcohol-induced scuffle. The Thursday statement has been met with fierce rebuttal from Kolkata, where TMC vows to uncover the truth.
Details emerged of the Monday evening tragedy. Mahato, employed at a local firm, left home around 3 PM but never reported for duty. Instead, police say he wandered drunk in Koregaon Park, clashing with two men. CCTV captured the verbal spat, but not the fatal sharp weapon attack that followed, leaving him dead at the scene.
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee plans a Friday visit to Mahato’s grieving family in Purulia, signaling deep involvement. CM Mamata Banerjee’s Twitter post accused assailants of preying on the victim’s Bengali roots, language, and identity—a narrative gaining traction amid rising attacks on migrants.
Over recent months, BJP-governed states have faced backlash over alleged persecution of Bengal workers, including lynchings and beatings. Families and activists claim linguistic bias fuels these horrors, with police narratives often dismissing them as mere brawls.
Shikrapur’s Inspector Gaikwad stands by initial probes, but TMC insists it’s a cover-up to protect the guilty. As Banerjee’s team mobilizes, the case highlights vulnerabilities of India’s vast migrant workforce, urging federal intervention for safety and fair investigation.