'Not Hit-and-Run': Locals 'Offer Money' to Kolkata Cops Seeking Action in Abduction Bid & Murder Case

Kolkata: Residents of Tangra in Kolkata shoved currency notes into the pockets of policemen on Thursday, protesting against alleged inaction in the attempted kidnap of a woman and murder of her father-in-law. The residents offered money to police officers to "motivate" them to slap charges of kidnapping against the accused, some of whom have been arrested.

The police has filed it as a hit-and-run case.

Police personnel were surprised when a large number of people gathered outside the Tangra Police Station and offered money in return for justice.

Locals claimed that a man, Gopal Pramanik, was run over by an ambulance when he tried to save his daughter-in-law from being kidnapped by a group of miscreants inside the vehicle.

The incident took place around 11.30pm on Tuesday in the Christopher Road area when the Pramanik family was returning home after attending a wedding.

An ambulance screeched to halt near them and tried to drag inside Pramanik’s daughter-in-law. In a bid to resist the move and rescue the woman, when Pramanik came in front of the ambulance, the driver started the vehicle and dragged him for about 50m.

Pramanik died on the spot and before any other family member or bystander could rush to the spot, the men escaped. All of them were arrested later.

Trouble started after officers of Tangra police station informed the family members of the victims and locals that it was a case of hit and run.

On Wednesday morning, a large number of visibly angry locals gathered in front of the police station and offered money to the officers to initiate a kidnapping case.

A police team that visited the area to collect evidence in the case also faced similar protests.

"The police are trying to protect the culprits. They have taken money from them. We are also giving the police money so that they work for the truth and punish the miscreants," said a woman who was among those agitating.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Murlidhar Sharma said, “The driver of the ambulance Sheikh Abdur Rahaman and Tajudddin (another accused) have been arrested. Further investigation is underway.”

(With inputs from PTI)