Murshidabad violence: Charge sheet filed by Bengal police against 13 in father-son murder case

Murshidabad riots aftermath: 13 charged in father-son murder case, 300 arrested, widespread damage, and police inactivity highlighted.

The West Bengal Police have submitted a charge sheet against 13 people in the father-son double murder case in Murshidabad’s Zafarabad violence in April, a senior officer said.

The murders of Haragobindo Das (74) and his son Chandan Das (40) took place on April 11 during the Dhuliyan-Suti-Shamshergunj communal violence, amid protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 in the district.

The riots left at least three people dead and many injured, besides forcing hundreds to flee their homes.

The unrest, which lasted from April 8 to 12, had also caused widespread damage to public and private properties, prompting the Calcutta High Court to order the deployment of Central Armed Forces to restore law and order.

“We have submitted the charge sheet before the district court within 55 days of the crime and have named 13 people in it,” the official said on Friday.

In the aftermath of the violence, the police had arrested over 300 suspected miscreants in connection with over 60 FIRs which were lodged at various police stations in Murshidabad.

According to police reports at the Betbona village where the Das family residence was targeted, the attackers broke down the main door, dragged out Chandan Das and Hargobindo Das, and struck them with an axe in the back. A man reportedly stood guard until they died.