Lawyers, CPI(M) supporters’ office face attack in West Bengal; Mamata calls attacks ‘unacceptable’

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“I am shocked to learn that he was even pressured to alter his complaint. Following the intervention of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, Samim returned home safely,” said TMC leader Mamata Banerjee. File | Photo Credit: PTI

Several lawyers, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders, and party offices in West Bengal have come under repeated attacks in the State in the last few days. Senior law professionals and politicians have criticised the attacks on advocates, including that on senior advocate Shamim Ahmed on Saturday (October 3, 2026) night. 

Mr. Ahmed, a newly elected member of the West Bengal Bar Council, went to Garbeta to provide legal assistance to locals who were facing eviction. Mr. Ahmed and his colleagues’ vehicles were allegedly vandalised outside the Salboni Police Station in Paschim Medinipur district. Politicians have condemned the police inaction. 

“A group of advocates went there to help people who have been evicted, it is our moral duty to help them return home. Police were already there. The miscreants attacked us three times with sharp objects and vandalised four cars,” Mr. Ahmed said. He also added that police helped them the first time they were attacked and did not take any action the next two times.

Mr. Ahmed also said that three advocates were physically injured during the attack.

“I am shocked to learn that he was even pressured to alter his complaint. Following the intervention of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, Shamim returned home safely. The recent attacks on advocates at Bankshall Court and Baruipur Court are equally unacceptable,” Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee said on Sunday (October 4, 2026). 

“Any attempt to intimidate advocates for standing beside citizens or providing legal assistance strikes at the rule of law itself,” senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said. 

Legal associations like the Indian Justice Forum and the West Bengal State Committee of the All India Lawyers Association for Justice have also condemned the attack and called for an immediate investigation. 

Mr. Ahmed has on multiple occasions fought against cases of eviction and stood in court for the marginalised people’s causes. 

A few days ago, Calcutta High Court lawyer Sayan Banerjee came under attack as a mob hurled eggs at him at the Baruipur Court. A similar attack was also reported from the Bankshall Court in Kolkata, when outsiders attacked an advocate while he was on his way to represent a YouTuber at the court. 

On Saturday (October 3, 2026), Howrah District Court lawyers staged a protest against these repeated attacks on their colleagues. 

The CPI(M) has also alleged that its leaders have been attacked by Bharatiya Janata Party goons at a rally in Birati where many suffered physical injuries and their stage was vandalised on Friday (October 2, 2026).  

“Fifteen SFI leaders and workers were injured. When District Committee member Comrade Shivshankar Ghosh intervened to protect the activists, he was struck on the head and required five stitches. Eight activists were taken to hospital,” the CPI(M) said in a statement. 

On Sunday, a CPI(M) party office in Murshidabad’s Lalbagh was attacked by men in saffron scarves.

In the last few weeks, CPI(M) leaders have also alleged that several of their party offices have come under attack, including one in Mathabhanga, Pashchim Medinipur, Jalpaiguri, Howrah, Anandapur in Kolkata and other places. CPI(M) leaders have accused the BJP of these attacks.

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