Kolkata: A police complaint has been filed after former Team India captain Sourav Ganguly and his wife Dona Ganguly received a death threat.
According to the complaint filed by the Ganguly family and Sourav’s personal assistant, the threat letter was written in English and threatened to ‘eliminate’ or ‘finish’ the Bengal cricket icon and his family.
Former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and incumbent Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) chief had been receiving threat letters for the last few months, but were earlier brushed aside as notes from overzealous fans.
But the aggressive language in the most recent letter prompted the family to approach police.
According to family sources, the latest letter was opened at Sourav’s office in CAB, at the Eden Gardens.
A formal written complaint has been lodged at Thakurpukur police station.
“I wish to bring to your kind attention a matter of serious concern regarding certain threatening letters that have been received by Mr Sourav Ganguly and his family. For the past couple of months, we have been receiving letters from unknown person objectionable remarks against Mr Ganguly. Initially we didn’t pay much attention to these letters, assuming that they were merely the work of someone who disliked Mr Ganguly and was sending letters expressing his/her personal resentment,” the complaint stated.
“However, today we have received two letters addressed to Mr Sourav Ganguly and Mrs Dona Ganguly, in which the sender has not only made hate remarks against Mr Ganguly but has also issued serious threats to the life and safety of Mr Ganguly, Mrs Dona Ganguly and the people working with/for him.”
“The nature of the threats contained in the letters has caused serious concern among us. Since the letters have now escalated from hate/derogatory communication to explicit threats to life and personal safety, we believe that the matter requires immediate police intervention and investigation,” the statement continued.
“In view of the seriousness of the matter, I request you to kindly take necessary action, register and investigate the complaint, identify the person responsible for sending these threatening letters, and take appropriate steps to ensure the safety and security of Mr Sourav Ganguly, Mrs Dona Ganguly and the staff working with them.”
An inquiry has been initiated and “all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety of Mr Ganguly and his family,” police officials said.
Preliminary inquiry suggests the letters were sent via courier to the Ganguly residence. The sender’s name on the envelope was listed as Arun Kumar, a Belgharia resident.
Police are trying to find out whether the real Arun Kumar was the one who sent the letters, or if someone is using his identity to target the former India skipper.
The West Bengal government’s security department has also been apprised of the threat and urged to take immediate steps.
The security department is reviewing the situation to assess whether there is a need for additional cover for the former India star.
