Statesman News Service
MALDA, 20 SEPT: While police are trying to keep “habitual offenders” in jail custody to stop crime during Durga Puja in English Bazaar town, a group of inmates have been staging hunger strikes in order to win bail before Puja.
Malda correctional home authorities have identified six such “habitual offenders”. Four of them have already managed bail and have been released from jail custody recently.
One Chhotan Karmakar, who was lodged in Malda jail on charges of theft and a snatching case, started a hunger strike demanding exemption of his “bond fee” fixed by the court for bail. Last night Karmakar was admitted to Malda district hospital.
Three offenders - Piku Sheikh, Dilip Ghosh and Mrinal Debnath - got bail and were released from jail recently. Police were upset as Piku Sheikh is one of the organizers of burglary, snatching and other crimes, Dilip Ghosh is a two wheeler lifter, and Mrinal Debnath is another habitual offender in ‘white coller crime’.
Demoralized police are sure that the three will commit further crimes. They are still tracking them.
Debnath had organised a hunger strike and forced the authorities to draw the attention of the chief judicial magistrate and managed bail. He also alleged against police that he was arrested on false charges for possessing illegal arms.
Following the order of the chief judicial magistrate, the superintendent of police Mr Satyajit Bandyopadhyay aked his deputy to start an inquiry against police officers of the English Bazaar police, as Debnath lodged a complaint with the judicial magistrate.
And now Chhoton Karmakar has started a hunger strike to manage bail.
The superintendent of Malda jail, Mr C R Gharai, said: “All are habitual offenders. They are trying to get release from jail so they can commit further crimes in the Puja market.”
“Chhoton is a notorious snatcher of ornaments from women on the road. There are nearly 20 such cases against him. He has got bail on bond. The court has asked him to pay Rs 8,000 for granting bail plea because he is a habitual offender. But he could manage the sum,” Mr Gharai said.
“Now he is demanding the reduction of his bond fee,” he added.
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