A biryani meal claimed the life of a law clerk and left a revenue officer from the Land Revenue Department critically ill in Kalna.
Law clerks attached to the block land & land revenue office (BLLRO) of Purbasthali–I in Kalna had organised a biryani party yesterday after the office closed for the Puja holidays. Although the BLLRO, Shibdas Das, and several of his colleagues declined to join the gathering, a group of officials and all the law clerks took part in the meal.
Within an hour of eating, revenue officer Kuntal Maji and law clerk Sumanta Mallik fell severely ill and complained of acute discomfort. Both were rushed to Kalna Superspecialty Hospital, but Mallik died on the way. Maji was later referred to Burdwan Medical College and Hospital (BMCH), where doctors reported in the evening that his condition was stable.
The party has since sparked controversy after the victims’ families alleged deliberate poisoning. They claimed that both men had opposed certain alleged corrupt practices in the office and that only they fell ill, despite 26 people partaking in the meal. The families also questioned why the BLLRO and some of his close associates had “deliberately” avoided the party.
Das, the BLLRO of Purbasthali–I, denied the allegations, telling The Statesman: “I don’t like biryani, so I avoided it. Police are investigating the allegations made by some family members.”
Mallik’s body was first kept at the Kalna hospital morgue for post-mortem but was later moved to BMCH after his relatives expressed suspicion of foul play at Kalna.
Kalna SDPO Rakesh Chowdhury said: “We have begun a probe. Food safety officials have collected samples from the site for examination. We are awaiting their report.”