Trinamool Congress MLA and former state minister Jyotipriyo Mallick was attacked at his Salt Lake residence on Sunday night by a man who allegedly followed him home from his constituency.
Police said the attacker, identified as Abhishek Das, a 30-year-old resident of Habra in North 24 Parganas, was detained shortly after the incident and is being questioned by the Bidhannagar police.
As per a PTI report, the assault took place around 9 pm, when Mallick was at home with his family. According to police, the man entered the house and suddenly struck the MLA in the lower abdomen. Mallick's security staff who were nearby quickly responded to his call for help and restrained the attacker.
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Attacker claimed he wanted to speak to the MLA
The attacker was later handed over to Bidhannagar police for investigation during which he revealed that he was from the Habra area in North 24 Parganas district. The initial investigation revealed that Das had visited Mallick’s home earlier that day, saying he wanted to speak to him about a job request. Police said he has a history of psychiatric treatment at a government hospital.
Mallick told reporters he did not recognise the man and believed the assault was an isolated incident.
“I had never seen him before. It’s strange that someone from Habra would come and attack me,” Mallick said.
The MLA was unharmed and did not require medical treatment.
Police checking background and motive
Investigators said Das appeared “visibly agitated” when detained and is undergoing further psychiatric evaluation. Police are checking whether he acted alone or under influence.
Mallick, who represents Habra in the Assembly has earlier served as the state’s food and forest minister. He was arrested in 2023 in connection with a corruption case linked to his previous tenure and was later replaced in the cabinet.
The probe into Sunday’s incident continues.
