Two men accused of killing a father-son duo in Murshidabad were arrested in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district on Monday (April 21, 2025) after a Special Task Force from West Bengal tracked them down across State lines.
Haragobindo Das (77) and his son Chandan Das (40) were killed during protests allegedly over the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Jafrabad on April 12. Their house was allegedly ransacked .during the violence.
“The West Bengal STF came to Jharsuguda district. On the requisition of the West Bengal STF, Banharpali Police, with the assistance of other officers from Jharsuguda district, conducted raids at various locations under Bandhabahal outpost,” said Jharsuguda Superintendent of Police Parmar Smit Parshottamdas.
Jharsuguda SP said, “As per the request of the West Bengal Police, the Jharsuguda team detained two individuals — Sefaul Haque and Bani Israel. During the apprehension, one pistol was found in the possession of the accused persons, and they attempted to flee from police custody.”
“The police team fired four rounds as warning shots in the air to deter them. Due to the quick response of the police team, both accused were successfully apprehended,” said Mr. Parshottamdas.
Apart from Bani Israel and Sefaul Haque, six residents of Murshidabad were identified and detained by the joint team of Jharsuguda Police and West Bengal STF from the Bandhbahal area. They were allegedly involved in the Murshidabad violence.
“Since one country made pistol loaded with two 7.62 MM live ammunition were seized from Bani Israel, the two have been charged under Section 25 (1)(a)/27(1) Arms Act. We have forwarded them to court. When West Bengal police seek their remand, the court will take a call. However, six persons detained in connection with Murshidabad Waqf violence have been handed over to our West Bengal counterparts and they will take them to their State on Tuesday,” said the Jharsuguda SP.
The six Murshidabad men were working in the construction sector in Odisha’s Jharsuguda area. “Last month they had gone home on the eve of Eid ul-Fitr. While they were at home, the violence took place. They had allegedly taken part in the violence. They are well conversant with geography of Jharsuguda,” he said.
Published – April 22, 2025 12:20 am IST
