Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya alleges masked attackers hurled liquor bottles at his Kolkata home. BJP denies involvement as police investigate the attack.
CCTV footage reportedly captures masked motorcycle-borne man; Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya alleges Hindutva-linked attack, while BJP denies any political connection
Qalam Times News Network
Kolkata | October 8, 2026
Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, senior advocate, CPI(M) leader and former Rajya Sabha member, has alleged that unidentified men attacked his residence in south-east Kolkata early Thursday morning, smashing windowpanes with glass liquor bottles and damaging CCTV equipment. The incident reportedly took place at around 5 a.m. at his home in the Purba Lok area near the EM Bypass. Police have taken up the complaint and are examining CCTV footage from the residence.
The Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya residence was allegedly targeted by men travelling on motorcycles. According to Bhattacharya’s account, the attackers hurled bottles towards the windows, abused him and issued warnings. He said he was alerted by his domestic help after hearing a loud noise and, on coming outside, found that parts of the house had been damaged. No physical injury has been reported in the incident.
Masked attacker seen in CCTV footage
The CCTV footage has emerged as a key element of the investigation. Reports based on the footage say that a man arrived on a motorcycle with his face covered, parked near the residence and removed glass bottles from a bag before throwing them towards the house.
The footage reportedly also contains the voice of the attacker issuing a warning to Bhattacharya. According to reports, the man said, “Don’t come after us; we are patriots.” The motorcycle’s number plate was also reportedly concealed, making identification more difficult.
Bhattacharya has attributed the attack to people associated, in his view, with Hindutva politics. He alleged that the incident was connected to his public opposition to Hindu fundamentalism and said the attackers were attempting to intimidate him.
Speaking after the incident, the veteran lawyer said he would approach the Kolkata Police Commissioner regarding a licence for a revolver, citing concerns about his personal security. His remarks came after what he described as a deliberate attack on his home.
Police have visited the residence and collected information regarding the incident. Investigators are examining the available CCTV footage and other circumstances surrounding the attack. A report by ABP Ananda said police were also looking into whether the incident was planned, citing the alleged concealment of the attacker’s face and motorcycle number plate.
Kunal Ghosh condemns attack, BJP rejects political link
The incident quickly drew a political response. Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh condemned the attack and alleged that masked motorcycle-borne groups were increasingly being used to intimidate political opponents and dissenting voices in Bengal.
Ghosh also questioned the police response and argued that political disagreements should not be allowed to turn into physical attacks. He called for a collective protest against violence directed at people across political lines. His remarks, however, represent the TMC leader’s political assessment of the situation and do not establish who was responsible for the attack.
The BJP has rejected Bhattacharya’s allegation of a party connection. BJP MLA Sarbori Mukherjee said there was no BJP political link to the incident and described those responsible as miscreants. She also condemned the attack, while alleging that some individuals associated with the TMC had adopted saffron symbols after the change of government and were involved in such activities.
The competing allegations have left the political identity and motive of the attackers unresolved pending the police investigation.
Attack comes amid wider concern over lawyers’ safety
The incident involving Bhattacharya comes at a time when the safety of lawyers in West Bengal has become a subject of concern within the legal community.
Earlier this month, Calcutta High Court advocate Shamim Ahmed and other lawyers were allegedly attacked while visiting areas affected by political violence in West Midnapore’s Salboni-Garbeta region. The lawyers said they had gone to meet people who had allegedly been displaced from their homes. Their vehicles were reportedly vandalised during the incident.
Ahmed and his colleagues subsequently approached the Calcutta High Court over the incident. The episode attracted political reactions, with former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemning the alleged assault and calling for protection for members of the legal profession. The BJP, however, denied involvement in the Salboni incident as well.
Another recent controversy involved advocate Sayan Banerjee, who was allegedly targeted with eggs at the Baruipur court premises while appearing for SFI supporters. The Calcutta High Court subsequently took suo motu cognisance of the matter. The court has also expressed concern over reports of attacks on lawyers at different locations in the state.
The developments have raised broader questions about the safety of lawyers who handle politically sensitive cases or represent parties involved in contentious disputes.
For now, the circumstances surrounding the attack on Bhattacharya’s residence remain under investigation. While the senior lawyer has publicly blamed Hindutva supporters and alleged a BJP-backed connection, the BJP has denied any involvement. The identity of the attackers and the precise motive behind the assault will ultimately depend on the findings of the police investigation and the available CCTV evidence.
The incident has nevertheless added another serious episode to the recent series of allegations involving attacks or intimidation of lawyers in West Bengal, bringing renewed attention to the need for the legal profession to be able to carry out its work without fear of physical retaliation.
