The midnight shootout in Kolkata’s Baghajatin area has taken a dramatic turn as serious allegations of political patronage have surfaced against the injured youth, Jit Mukherjee. While the police are investigating the murder of Rahul Dey, who was shot dead during the same incident, locals have come forward to expose the alleged “reign of terror” led by Jit. According to residents, Jit has long enjoyed the backing of influential political leaders, allowing him to evade the law repeatedly.

Accusations against Jit include multiple charges of extortion, molestation, and possession of illegal firearms. A resident, requesting anonymity, claimed, “Whenever we complained to the police, local councilors would personally intervene and bring him back from the station. He felt untouchable because of his political connections.” The locals allege that this high-level protection emboldened him to carry out criminal activities in the area without fear of consequences.

Police sources indicate that the shooting occurred on the rooftop of a residential building where Rahul and Jit were reportedly having dinner. Investigators suspect that the attack could be a fallout of a dispute over extortion money or a pre-existing rivalry. While Jit’s family claims that unidentified assailants barged in and opened fire, the police are also probing Jit’s own involvement in local syndicates. The Homicide Section of Lalbazar is currently scanning CCTV footage to track down the shooters. The incident has once again sparked a debate over the criminal-politician nexus in Bengal ahead of the polls.