Rangpur Citizens Committee Demands Judicial Inquiry Into Teacher Family Murder Citing Police Investigation Flaws

RANGPUR — The Rangpur Metropolitan Citizens’ Committee has demanded a judicial inquiry into the murders of retired school teacher Ganapati Chakraborty and three members of his family, citing significant discrepancies in the police investigation. Meanwhile, the Rangpur Bar Association has announced that its members will not represent the accused in court, citing the brutality of the crime.

The demand for a judicial inquiry came during a press conference held at a community center in the city’s Jahaj Company area on Saturday. Palash Kanti Nag, member secretary of the Citizens’ Committee, presented a list of 19 questions questioning the transparency and credibility of the police investigation.

The committee highlighted inconsistencies between the police’s account of the murders and the statements provided by the victims’ relatives, forensic evidence, and circumstantial observations. Concerns were raised regarding the police claim that the family was murdered over a dispute involving Yaba consumption. The committee also challenged the official narrative that the suspects remained at the crime scene for an extended period to bathe and eat, describing the claim as suspicious.

The committee further questioned whether investigators thoroughly examined the cutting of CCTV and electricity cables at the residence, the identity of individuals observed on motorcycles prior to the incident, and whether the victims had previously reported threats regarding their home construction. Additionally, the committee noted discrepancies regarding the accounting of stolen cash and gold jewelry, as well as shifting reports concerning the quantity of narcotics allegedly involved.

Palash Kanti Nag emphasized that the investigation should not rely solely on the confessions of the suspects. He called for a comprehensive review involving forensic evidence, mobile phone data, and witness testimonies to reconcile the contradictions in the police report. The committee maintained that a fair and impartial investigation is essential to uncovering the truth and ending the culture of impunity.

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The bodies of 65-year-old Ganapati Chakraborty, his wife Pritilata Chakraborty, 50, their daughter Agami Chakraborty Prarthi, 25, and their 12-year-old son Ayush Chakraborty were discovered in their home in the Masuapara area last Saturday. Police confirmed the victims were strangled. Following the discovery, a murder case was filed by the victim’s brother, Gopinath Chakraborty, at the Rangpur Metropolitan Kotwali Police Station. Two suspects, Mugdho Das and Siddhartha Das, were subsequently arrested and reportedly confessed to the crime in court.

In a separate development, the Rangpur Bar Association declared its decision to boycott the defense of the accused. Addressing a press conference at the association’s office, President Shahed Kamal Ibne Khatib and General Secretary Aftab Uddin stated that the decision was taken in view of the heinous nature of the killings.

“Many believe that lawyers support wrongdoing for money, which is not true,” Aftab Uddin stated. “Our decision not to represent these individuals in court is evidence of our stance. We want the family of Ganapati Chakraborty to receive justice.” The Bar Association noted that it may review its decision if the nature of the investigation or the circumstances of the case undergo significant changes.