Kolkata: A Calcutta University professor was booked for a “controversial” post on social media in which he allegedly “threatened to kill” West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.
A case was registered against Zoology professor Arindam Bhattacharya by the Hare Street police station on the basis of a complaint filed by PhD scholar Tamal Dutta.
The professor was booked under IPC sections 505 (1B) (with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public), 506 (threat be to cause death or grievous hurt) and 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy), informed joint commissioner of police (crime) Murlidhar Sharma.
“I didn’t make any comments against the chief minister. The complainant is a Trinamool Congress supporter. I am waiting for the police to take steps and only after that I will seek legal advice on this,” Bhattacharya was quoted as saying by PTI.
A friend, during a conversation on Facebook Messenger, told the professor: “Before the elections you had written in a WhatsApp group that you wanted to kill the chief minister. That time you went to the TMC leader’s house to save yourself…”
The professor of Zoology for 17 years replied in Bengali: “Akhono hatya korte chai… Pa chata kutta ami noi… Ami oshikkhito birodhi (I still want to kill.. I am not a footlicking dog. I am against those who are illiterate).”
It was a personal conversation which was made public on social media, the professor said, adding that the said conversation took place sometime back and he hadn’t threatened the chief minister.
Bhattacharya claimed that it was part of a conspiracy so that he loses his job.
“I am scared and tormented. I feel helpless and insulted. Never dreamt of facing such humiliation in my life. I can sense that this is a conspiracy against me so that I eventually lose my job,” he said.
“I have nothing to do. Let the police arrest me… Let there be another Ambikesh Mahapatra,” he said.
Nine years ago, Chemistry professor Ambikesh Mahapatra of Jadavpur University was arrested for allegedly forwarding a cartoon, lampooning the chief minister.
