Bengal governor cancels Chopra visit; flogging victims miss meeting

“The victims of Chopra flogging incident was not present. The governor met victims of other atrocities,” an official told PTI.

The governor is expected to submit a report on his findings to the central government, he added.

The people who met him had approached the Peace Room of the Raj Bhavan and expressed their desire to meet the Governor and seek justice.

Bose had arrived in Bagdogra from New Delhi earlier that day and travelled straight to Cooch Behar, where these people were waiting for him.

On Monday, Bose had asked Prime Minister Mamata Banerjee for a report on the Chopra incident.

The incident, which occurred on Friday and was captured on video, sparked widespread public outrage.

The TMC strongman was arrested on Sunday afternoon in connection with the incident. He is facing charges including attempted murder, assault with intent to outrage the modesty of a woman and intentionally causing grievous bodily harm.

Islam, also known as “JCB,” is said to have brutally beaten the couple with bamboo sticks after they were accused of an illicit relationship by a mock court.

Islam, who has a previous criminal record including murder, was remanded in police custody for five days by a local court in Uttar Dinajpur district on Monday.

“Islam is a notorious figure in the area with a history of criminal activities. He was already involved in a murder case in Chopra in 2021,” an IPS officer told PTI.

Islam, known for his close association with Chopra MP Hamidul Rahman, was arrested back in 2023 for his alleged involvement in the assassination of CPI(M) leader Mansur Naimul shortly before the panchayat elections.