Accused Siddhartha Das Frequently Used Drugs, Occasionally Assaulted His Mother

Schoolteacher Mr. Ganapati, His Wife and Child Murder Case: Drug-Test Samples Collected from Jail for Siddhartha and Mugdha

In the widely discussed case involving the murder of schoolteacher Mr. Ganapati, his wife, child and another person in Rangpur, accused Siddhartha Das, one of the two accused in the case, allegedly frequently used drugs and would create disturbances at home by shouting, vandalising property and causing chaos. He would also often skip work. When asked to go to work, he would sometimes assault his mother. A few days ago, he reportedly beat his mother after throwing her onto the road in front of their house.

Siddhartha Das would reportedly sit on the roof of Mr. Ganapati’s house with his friends and use drugs almost every night. When anyone objected, he would ignore them and behave abusively.

Speaking about Siddhartha Das on Sunday, a local resident named Mr. Prabin, who requested anonymity, said, “They are very dangerous, especially his elder brother Partha, whose behaviour is very bad. If they find out that we have said these things, they will not let us live here.”

Meanwhile, a particular group identified as being behind attempts to blame Muslims for the sensational and gruesome killings and portray the incident as part of a militant or fundamentalist plot is still actively pursuing such a narrative. Ignoring the police investigation and the confessional statements reportedly given by the accused in court, the group has continued making provocative remarks and statements. They are now repeating the claim that no member of the Sanatan community could commit such a tragic crime.

In particular, local residents have reportedly memorised the remarks and statements made by Advocate Chaitali last Friday night. Her comments have caused concern and tension among city residents. People from different political, ideological and religious backgrounds have rejected what they describe as her provocative remarks. Various quarters have even demanded that she be labelled a traitor.

Meanwhile, a demand for a judicial inquiry into the incident, raised at a press conference organised under the banner of the Mahanagar Nagarik Committee on Saturday, has also sparked widespread discussion. Questions have been raised about the statements and activities of the committee members, with some calling for an investigation into whether the organisation is being used to advance a particular agenda.

On the other hand, Partha Das, the brother of accused Siddhartha Das, allegedly harassed and assaulted a journalist last Saturday. Following the incident, journalists held a human chain and protest rally demanding his arrest. Partha Das and his father, Binoy Das, were taken to the Detective Branch (DB) office for questioning. They were released later that night after furnishing bonds.

Meanwhile, urine samples were collected from Siddhartha Das and Mugdha Das on Sunday for drug testing. At around 1:15pm, a team from the Detective Branch of Rangpur Metropolitan Police went to Rangpur Central Jail. Earlier, for security reasons, the DB had requested the principal of Rangpur Medical College to send laboratory technicians to the jail to collect the samples. After receiving permission, the team went to the jail.

A laboratory technician and an assistant from Rangpur Medical College accompanied the DB team.

Confirming the matter, Inspector Jinnat Ali, the investigating officer of the case and an inspector with the DB of Rangpur Metropolitan Police, said the team went to the jail to collect the accused persons’ samples after the court approved the drug tests.

“For security reasons, it is not possible to bring the accused out of jail. Therefore, laboratory technicians from Rangpur Medical College were taken to the jail to collect the samples,” he said.

Mohammad Ashraf, a technician at Rangpur Medical College (RMCH), said urine specimens were collected from the accused for the drug tests. The samples will be sent to the laboratory for examination.