Cooch Behar Superintendent of Police Dyutiman Bhattacharya was transferred from his post on Thursday (October 23, 2025) after the alleged attack on the burst crackers drew widespread condemnation.
Mr. Bhattacharya was appointed Commandant of the 3rd Battalion of the State Armed Police. Sandeep Karra has been appointed as the new Superintendent of Police Cooch Behar in his place.
Mr. Bhattacharya was accused of beating up several people, including children and women, for bursting firecrackers on Deepavali night (October 20) near his official residence. The incident drew a strong reaction from political and social circles in the state.
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari also raised the issue and said that the SP attacked these children and a woman in an unstable mental state. Videos of a man wielding a stick and a scarf tied around his head attacking people were caught by television cameras in close proximity.
While the SP denied any attack, he spoke to media persons about how bursting of crackers continued unabated till late night. “We thought, this will be the end, this will be the end… but 10 pm came, 11 pm came, the power of firecrackers did not stop. (Pallets) burst continuously till 1 am. My wife ‘counted’ and up to 60 firecrackers burst at once. But my security stopped them and no one paid attention, no one paid attention to Mr. Bhattacharya said. Not only were the locals attacked, but they were also arrested and later released on bail.
Published – 24 Oct 2025 03:01 IST
