Binod goes missing from hospital after release, returns later at night

Darjeeling: Binod Kumar Sarkar, the person who was arrested for allegedly posting lewd remarks on social media against the former District Magistrate's wife in Alipurduar, allegedly went missing on Tuesday from Falakata Superspeciality Hospital, where he was admitted. However, Sarkar returned later at night. An FIR had been lodged by his father at Falakata police station, alleging foul play revolving around his disappearance.

After being released on bail, Sarkar had complained of feeling uneasy, following which he was admitted at the hospital on Tuesday. He was undergoing treatment there. An ECG was also done. Hospital Super Dr. Chandan Ghosh stated: "Binod Kumar Sarkar is medically fit and normal." There was presence of heavy police security at the Hospital. At around 3 pm, there was talk that Binod has been released. However, after just a couple of hours, his family members, relatives and friends staged a demonstration, claiming that he had gone missing. "Police personnel had been posted at the hospital. We were not allowed to meet Binod. Now he has gone missing," claimed Lalit Mohan Sarkar, Binod's uncle. The family members searched for Binod till late at night but he could not be traced.

Following this, Binod's father Raj Mohan Sarkar lodged an FIR at Falakata police station, alleging foul play. The FIR stated that at 11 am Binod had been admitted at the hospital. Despite having visitor's card they were not allowed to meet Binod. At around 4 pm, the Hospital Super declared that Binod had been discharged and had left the hospital alone. "We suspect foul play. We request you to kindly trace my son," stated the FIR.

However, Binod returned later at night. "Some police constables said that they would take me to meet my family members and took me away from the hospital. They took me on a bike to the house of human rights activist Sukumar Rai. I was detained there for 6 hours. My family members were not there," claimed Sarkar after reuniting with his family members.

Binod's father had earlier lodged an FIR against District Magistrate Nikhil Nirmal and his wife for mercilessly beating up the accused inside Falakata police station in presence of the police. "Law should take its own course. Legal action should be initiated against Nikhil Nirmal and his wife for beating my son up mercilessly," stated the FIR.

Sunil Yadav, Superintendent of Police, Alipurduar, on Tuesday visited Falakata police station to inquire into the matter. Meanwhile, Chiranjeeb Ghosh took charge as the Acting District Magistrate of the district on Tuesday. The state government has also notified the Election Commission on Tuesday regarding the removal of Nirmal from the post of District Magistrate, Alipurduar.

A video clip had gone viral on Sunday, showing Nirmal and his wife beating up Binod inside Falakata police station, while the man is seen begging for forgiveness. In the clip, Nirmal threatens him with dire consequences after slapping him. Nirmal's wife was also seen kicking and slapping Binod.