Threats prompt police investigation
Sourav Ganguly, former captain of the Indian cricket team and current president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), along with his wife Dona Ganguly, have reportedly received death threats. This development has led to the launch of a police investigation in Kolkata.
According to reports, the threats were contained in several letters sent to Ganguly over recent months. The latest communications, received on Monday, explicitly warned of killing him and his wife. These recent letters prompted a formal complaint to be lodged with the authorities.
The Kolkata Police STF and the directorate of security have initiated a probe into the matter. Investigators are currently examining the contents of the threatening letters and working to identify the sender and their motives.
Details of the complaint
A written complaint was filed at the Thakurpukur Police Station in south Kolkata. This action followed the receipt of the most recent letter at Ganguly’s office on Monday. The complaint was lodged by Ganguly’s manager, detailing the explicit threats to kill Ganguly and his wife, and to harm individuals close to him.
Separately, Sourav’s personal secretary, Taniya Bhattacharya, also filed an FIR at Thakurpukur PS. This FIR indicated that regular letters containing serious threats to Sourav, his family, and staff have been received over the past four months. While earlier letters were reportedly ignored, the last two explicitly stated the sender’s intent to “eliminate” Ganguly and claimed that nothing could prevent it.
Family sources have indicated that similar letters have been arriving for approximately six months. Initially, these were not taken seriously, being dismissed as communications from overzealous fans. However, the repeated nature of the threats and the increasingly aggressive language in the most recent letters prompted the family to seek police intervention.
Ongoing investigation and security review
The police officer involved in the investigation stated that efforts are underway to establish the identity and motive behind the sender of these communications. The STF has reportedly identified a location approximately 32km from the Gangulys’ Behala residence, believed to be the origin point of some of the threat letters. Reports indicate that police were raiding this site as of the latest updates.
The state government’s security department has also been alerted to the situation and has been asked to take immediate steps. Given Ganguly’s public profile as a former BCCI president and captain of the Indian cricket team, a security review is underway to assess the threat level and determine if additional protective measures are necessary for him and his family.
Preliminary investigations suggest that some letters were sent via courier to the Ganguly residence. The sender’s name on one packet was listed as Arun Kumar, a resident of Belgharia. Investigators traced a phone number mentioned in the letter, and a ‘Truecaller’ search reportedly showed the same name. Police are now investigating whether the real Arun Kumar sent the letters or if someone else used his identity to target the former India skipper. Police officials have assured Ganguly’s PA that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety of Mr. Ganguly and his family.
Source: m.rediff.com
