Citizens’ committee questions police inconsistencies over timeline, motive, evidence and suspects, calling for an independent judicial investigation

Rangpur Correspondent:

Public distrust over the investigation into the murder of retired Rangpur Zilla School teacher Ganapati Chakraborty and three members of his family deepened on Saturday, with a citizens’ platform raising 19 questions over inconsistencies in the police account and demanding an independent judicial investigation.

The Rangpur Metropolitan Citizens Committee alleged that Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mabud presented conflicting accounts of the killings at two separate press conferences, leaving critical questions over the timeline, motive, crime scene and evidence unanswered.

The committee said the contradictions had further eroded public confidence in the police investigation into one of Rangpur’s most sensational recent crimes.

At a press conference, committee Member Secretary Advocate Palash Kanti Nag presented a 19-point set of questions and called for all the issues to be examined by a judicial investigation committee.

Police have arrested Siddhartha Das and Mugdha Das and said the two confessed before a court under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Police initially attributed the killings to anger after Ganapati confronted the two over drug use on the roof of his house.

The citizens’ committee, however, questioned whether two young men could have strangled four people one after another with a towel and rope without significant resistance or neighbours hearing screams in the densely populated area.

It also sought explanations over alleged bloodstains at the house, CCTV footage from a nearby temple, reports of unidentified motorcycles around the residence, money Ganapati had reportedly withdrawn from his provident fund before his death, and discrepancies over the number of yaba pills allegedly consumed by the suspects.

The committee also questioned the police timeline, pointing to claims that Ganapati’s daughter Agami Chakraborty was active on Facebook around 5:50am on the morning of the killings.

Police Commissioner Mabud had earlier revised parts of the initial account, including where some victims were killed and whether Ganapati’s 12-year-old son Ayush was asleep when attacked.

Police subsequently said the boy had awakened, recognised Siddhartha and was then killed.

Investigators have also broadened their inquiry beyond the drug-related explanation, examining possible resentment over an earlier land transaction involving Siddhartha’s family and Ganapati.

The citizens’ committee said the changing accounts made an independent investigation necessary to determine whether other people or motives were involved.

Meanwhile, the Rangpur Lawyers Association announced that none of its members would defend the accused in the murder case.

Association General Secretary Advocate Aftab Uddin said the decision could remain in force for months if necessary.

The association also pledged legal assistance to pursue the case through the High Court and Supreme Court.

The lawyers, however, stopped short of rejecting the police investigation.

They said police had so far played a positive role but stressed that a fair and comprehensive investigation was necessary to identify everyone responsible.

Ganapati, 65, his wife Pritilata Chakraborty, 50, daughter Agami Chakraborty, 25, and son Ayush Chakraborty, 12, were found dead at their Masuapara home in Rangpur city on August 22.

Police say all four were strangled.