Opposition CPI (M) state secretary and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jitendra Chaudhury on Sunday demanded a high-level investigation into the death of BJP councillor of Dharmanagar Municipal Council and North Tripura Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) leader Rahul Kishore Roy.
Chaudhury urged the state government to form a special investigation team to probe allegations surrounding Roy’s alleged “induced suicide.” He stressed the seriousness of the accusations made by Roy’s wife, Ananya Bhattacharjee, who alleged that newly elected Dharmanagar BJP MLA Jahar Chakraborty and his wife, former State Women’s Commission chairperson Barnali Goswami, were linked to harassment and attacks on their residence after the bypoll results declared on May 4.
Calling the incident “deeply painful and shocking,” the CPI (M) leader said the matter should be investigated thoroughly in accordance with the assurances of Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha regarding action against violence and anti-social activities.
During the day, Chaudhury also visited the residence of CPI (M) leader Tapan Das in Jirania, who allegedly faced an attack by BJP workers. He criticized the police for allegedly failing to take action despite complaints being lodged.
Meanwhile, Barnali Goswami filed a complaint at Dharmanagar police station against a social media activist for allegedly spreading defamatory content accusing her and her husband of involvement in Roy’s death. She demanded strict legal action against those circulating what she described as baseless allegations.
Sources, however, claimed Goswami also sought a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding Roy’s death, including alleged attacks on the councillor’s residence and humiliation faced by his family members.
According to family members, Rahul Kishore Roy had reportedly been receiving threats from certain BJP leaders prior to his death. The allegations triggered protests by supporters demanding the arrest of those allegedly responsible.
Police sources said a saffron scarf was found tied around Roy’s neck, leading to speculation over whether the case was a suicide or involved foul play. Roy’s wife further alleged that a group of BJP youth leaders visited their house twice on the day of the incident and allegedly attempted to assault her husband. The of the deceased councillor, had also filed an FIR against seven miscreants, who were attacked on their house after bypoll results, identified as Kankan Chowdhury, Hirakjyoti Nath, Manoj Purokayastha, Niladri Bhattarcharjee, Abhijit Das, Suraj Deb and Prabal Deb.
She claimed the group first arrived in the afternoon and later returned at night, allegedly trying to force entry into the house. Family members, however, managed to keep the doors locked, preventing any confrontation.
Deceased’s wife also said that the group of seven miscreants allegedly owing allegiance to the ruling BJP and closely associated with the newly elected BJP candidate Jahar Chakraborty and his wife Barnali Goswami, former chairperson of Tripura Commission for Women (TCW) visited Roy’s house on the afternoon and night prior to the incident, where he was humiliated and assaulted. She claimed that the incident was premeditated, possibly with political motives.
His wife also alleged that she, along with her elderly father-in-law and mother-in-law, were assaulted by the same group of 'miscreants' and she on Wednesday directly blamed newly elected MLA Jahar Chakraborty and his wife Barnali Goswami solely responsible for the death of her husband.