The vacation bench of the Calcutta High Court has instructed the Director General of Police for West Bengal to take prompt action regarding the whereabouts of Block Development Officer Prashant Barman, who is currently evading authorities, and to ensure he is brought to justice.
Barman is implicated in the murder of gold trader Swapan Kamila, who went missing from Duttabad on October 28, 2025. The following day, Kamila’s dismembered body was discovered near Jatragachi in New Town.
Last year, Barman sought anticipatory bail from the Calcutta High Court, which was subsequently denied. In January, he appealed to the Supreme Court for bail, but that request was also rejected, with the court instructing him to surrender. Despite these legal directives, Barman has not yet been apprehended by law enforcement.
During a recent hearing concerning another suspect, Sajal Sarkar, in the same murder case, the vacation bench led by Justice Apurba Sinha Roy mandated immediate actions against Barman. The court insisted on departmental proceedings against the investigating officer, Saswata Banerjee, and required the state DGP to file a report on the enforcement of this order to the Registrar General of the High Court within ten days.
The court noted that the Investigating Officer had not fulfilled his duties as required by law, indicating a significant neglect of responsibility. The West Bengal DGP has been instructed to initiate swift disciplinary measures against Banerjee and to take effective steps to locate Barman, who continues to avoid arrest despite the Supreme Court’s directives.
In related developments, the court denied bail to Sajal Sarkar, a Trinamool leader who has been taken into custody in connection with the murder.
Recently, Barman was arrested by Bidhannagar police for a drunk driving incident but was later released on bail.
Tanusree Bose is a committed journalist for The Indian Express, based in Kolkata. She provides insightful coverage on the intricate administrative, political, and judicial matters in West Bengal, establishing her as a credible voice in the region’s news landscape.
Current Role: She reports for the esteemed national daily, The Indian Express, ensuring her work is marked by a high degree of reliability.
Geographical Expertise: Bose focuses on West Bengal, showcasing her profound understanding of the state’s political and news dynamics.
Core Authority: Her reporting portfolio demonstrates expertise in critical and often sensitive areas, including:
- State Politics and Governance: Reporting on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), opposition tactics (BJP), and internal political disputes.
- Judicial and Administrative Affairs: Monitoring significant developments in the Calcutta High Court, especially major rulings concerning employment, education, and social issues.
- Education Sector: Providing extensive coverage on notable controversies, such as irregularities in teacher recruitment and actions by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE).
- Social & Electoral Issues: Reporting on public events, community tensions, and electoral processes like the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll.
Tanusree Bose’s regular contributions and her focus on high-stakes regional matters for a trusted media outlet reinforce her reputation as a reliable source for news from West Bengal.
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