The West Bengal chapter of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (Association for Protection of Civil Rights) has released a fact-finding report on the death of 45-year-old itinerant hawker Akbar Ali Mondal from Punisol village in Bankura district. The report examines the circumstances of his death in Supordih village of Purulia district on 9 June 2026.
A delegation visited Punisol village on 17 June 2026, meeting the victim’s family, local residents, and police officials to understand the incident. The team also reviewed available evidence and the ongoing investigation.
According to the report, Mondal was allegedly attacked after a dispute over payment during his hawking work. Police have arrested the accused, identified as Biswanath Mahato, and the investigation is still ongoing.
Dispute Over Payment Turned Deadly, Says Report
The fact-finding team found that the incident began as a disagreement over payment for goods but escalated into violence. The report says Mondal was selling items in Supordih village when the accused allegedly took goods without paying.
When Mondal demanded payment, an argument broke out. The accused allegedly returned with a stick and attacked him repeatedly, causing severe injuries to his head and face.
The report also notes that after the assault, the victim’s body was allegedly hidden in a cattle shed. Police later recovered the body and began legal proceedings. The victim was identified by his son, Zulfiqar Ali Mondal.
A video of the attack, reportedly recorded by a witness, is also part of the investigation. The report says this footage is crucial evidence, though it has not been made public.
This story was originally published in theobserverpost.com. Read the full story here.