WB CM admits police negligence in custodial death, announces compensation for family

Published 10 August 2026 · politics

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday (August 10, 2026) visited the residence of Trinamool Congress worker Birju Keot, who died in police custody

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday (August 10, 2026) visited the residence of Trinamool Congress worker Birju Keot, who died in police custody at Halisahar in North 24 Parganas district, and announced compensation for his family. Keot died in police custody on August 8, and his family has alleged that the police tortured him to death. The Chief Minister said that a magistrate-level investigation would be conducted into the death in police custody "as per protocol” laid down for custodial death. Adhikari said the investigating officer who was behind the arrest of the deceased has been suspended, and the officer-in-charge of the police station has been “closed” to Barrackpore Police lines.

The State government has announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh and a job for the wife of the deceased. Adhikari said the death had occurred in custody, and that police negligence was “clear as daylight”. Jenny Sharma Keot, the wife of Birju Keot, and a former Trinamool Congress councillor, said that more than compensation, she wants justice for her husband. She submitted a complaint letter to the Chief Minister. “I have expressed gratitude to the family on behalf of the government. They did not allow anyone to do politics over the death. The former Chief Minister came. But the family did not even meet her. The deceased’s elder brother told the former Chief Minister that they want justice, and only the administration can grant the family justice.

They have trusted the government and the administration. This is a big debt to us,” the West Bengal Chief Minister said. Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee had visited the residence of the deceased party worker on Sunday. During the visit, her vehicle was attacked, and she claimed that it was a conspiracy to kill her. Locals gathered at the site raised slogans against Ms. Banerjee, who was visiting a party worker’s residence for the first time after the party’s defeat in the West Bengal Assembly polls earlier this year. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that police had provided Ms. Banerjee adequate protection, and the sloganeering was a result of public anger.

Supporters of Mamata Banerjee held protests across the city on Monday. Trinamool Congress MLAs who have stayed with the former Chief Minister also held a protest in the State Assembly over the attack on the Trinamool Congress. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the police had provided the former Chief Minister with adequate protection and that the sloganeering was a result of public anger. On Monday, supporters of Mamata Banerjee held protests across the city. Trinamool Congress MLAs loyal to her also staged a demonstration in the State Assembly over the attack on the party supremo.