The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) trained the guns on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal over the alleged suicide of an IPS officer who pointed fingers at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The party has demanded that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is ordered to probe the death of Gaurab Chandra Dutt, a 1986-batch IPS officer who retired as Inspector General. BJP has also called for the arrest of the West Bengal CM on the grounds of abetment to suicide.

While Dutt’s wife is reportedly mulling to approach the Supreme Court, BJP leader Mukul Roy slammed Banerjee saying, “This is for the first time in the history of West Bengal that a senior IPS officer committed suicide and blamed the government or a party leader.”

Roy also urged the IPS association to take up the cause of Dutt.

On 23 February, BJP state chief Dilip Ghosh alleged that the letter purportedly written by Dutt proves that IPS officers and police officers are working under pressure of the state government.

“We have a copy of his suicide note and it clearly suggests that he took the extreme step under pressure after being harassed by the state chief minister and her administration,” he said, addressing a press conference.

He claimed that some IPS and IAS officers have complained of harassment by the state administration.

Dutt had on 19 February allegedly committed suicide at his Salt Lake residence. His wife, after she returned home, found him bleeding profusely with wrists slit. Dutt was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved.

In his alleged suicide note which went viral on social media, Dutt alleged he was being harassed and wanted the government to drop cases related to certain disciplinary proceedings which were initiated against him in connection with a financial irregularity.

In his letter, Dutt accused Mamata Banerjee of keeping him on “compulsory waiting” and for withholding his dues after he retired on 31 December 2018.

The state government has reportedly not commented on the incident.

Quoting Amit Javalgi, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detective Department) of Bidhannagar Commissionerate, the Indian Express reported that Dutt’s was “an unnatural death and investigation has been initiated”.