Former Panihati municipality chairman Somnath Dey has been apprehended in Bengaluru following an interstate manhunt related to the controversial cremation of the R G Kar victim. The arrest follows a fresh FIR filed by the victim's father.

  • Former Panihati municipality chairman Somnath Dey arrested in Bengaluru.
  • Arrest linked to a fresh FIR regarding the alleged hurried cremation of the R G Kar victim.
  • Accused attempted to evade police by switching off his phone and moving from Hyderabad to Bengaluru.
  • The victim's father alleged undue pressure was exerted to conduct the cremation in Panihati.

In a significant breakthrough in the R G Kar medical college rape and murder case, the West Bengal Police on Thursday arrested Somnath Dey, the former chairman of the Panihati municipality. The arrest took place in Bengaluru following an intensive interstate chase. Dey is accused of involvement in the controversial and allegedly hurried cremation of the junior doctor who was victimized in August 2024.

The Manhunt: From Hyderabad to Bengaluru

According to police sources, the accused attempted to evade law enforcement by switching off his mobile device and changing his location frequently. Initial intelligence suggested he had fled to Hyderabad; however, by the time specialized police teams reached the city, Dey had already relocated to Bengaluru. He is expected to be produced before a local court in Bengaluru before being brought to Kolkata on transit remand.

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The development stems from a fresh FIR registered by the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate. The complaint was filed by the victim's father, who named Dey along with former Trinamool Congress MLA Nirmal Ghosh and a neighbor, Sanjeev Mukherjee. Earlier, Ghosh was apprehended in Sambalpur, Odisha, on August 13.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the focus on the cremation process introduces a new dimension of potential evidence tampering into the investigation. If the accused exerted pressure on the grieving family to bypass standard protocols—such as waiving charges or skipping required signatures—it suggests a calculated attempt to obstruct the course of justice and destroy forensic links.

The allegation of forced cremation represents a critical pivot in the investigation, potentially shifting the focus toward a wider conspiracy to suppress evidence.

The victim's father has alleged that the accused individuals visited his home and pressured the family to transport the body to a crematorium in Panihati, despite their explicit unwillingness. This has raised serious questions regarding the transparency of the rituals performed following the tragedy.

Did You Know?: The R G Kar case has triggered massive nationwide protests, leading to increased judicial and central agency scrutiny.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why was a new FIR filed in the R G Kar case?
The new FIR was filed following allegations by the victim's father regarding the suspicious and forced manner in which the cremation was conducted.

2. Where is the investigation currently heading?
The investigation is being conducted by both the state police and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to ensure all aspects of the crime and subsequent cover-up attempts are examined.