Bengal Migrant Worker Killed in Pune: Mamata Banerjee Alleges ‘Hate Crime’, Police Point to Personal Dispute
Bengal Migrant Worker Killed in Pune: Mamata Banerjee Alleges ‘Hate Crime’, Police Point to Personal Dispute
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly reacted to the killing of a young migrant worker from her state in Maharashtra’s Pune district, describing the incident as a “hate crime” and urging swift action against those responsible. The case, however, has taken a different turn on the investigative front, with local police indicating that preliminary findings suggest the death may have stemmed from a personal dispute.
The victim, identified as 24-year-old Sukhen Dhiren Mahato, hailed from Tumrasole village in Purulia district’s Bandwan area of West Bengal. He had been living and working in Koregaon Bhima in Pune’s Shirur taluka for the past few years along with two of his brothers.
Expressing deep anguish over the incident, Banerjee said she was “shaken, enraged and sickened beyond words” by what she termed the brutal murder of a young man who was the sole breadwinner of his family. In a post on X, she alleged that Sukhen was targeted because of his language and identity. Calling it “nothing short of a hate crime,” she stated that he was “hunted, tortured and murdered” for being Bengali.
The Chief Minister further remarked that such violence reflects a dangerous atmosphere where xenophobia is being encouraged and innocent people are being singled out. She demanded the immediate arrest of those involved and insisted on exemplary punishment. Assuring support to the bereaved family, Banerjee said West Bengal stands firmly with them and that no effort would be spared in pursuing justice.
Meanwhile, Pune Rural police have offered a different perspective. According to Additional Superintendent of Police Ramesh Chopde, the initial investigation suggests that Sukhen may have been assaulted following a dispute with some local individuals. Police suspect he was beaten during the altercation and suffered fatal injuries. A murder case has been registered, two suspects have been identified, and teams are actively searching for them.
Sukhen’s body was discovered on the morning of February 10 in an open area behind Hotel Aapla Ghar in Koregaon Bhima. Upon receiving information, police reached the spot and sent the body for postmortem examination. The autopsy report concluded that he died due to a severe head injury.
An FIR has been filed under Section 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Shikrapur Police Station. The complaint was lodged by Sukhen’s brother, Tulsiram Dhiren Mahato, who resides at Dnyaneshwar Complex in Koregaon Bhima and works at JAL Precision Products Limited in Sanaswadi — the same company where Sukhen was employed.
Sub-Inspector Mahesh Dongare, the investigating officer, stated that the crime is believed to have occurred on the intervening night of February 9 and 10. While suspects have been identified, arrests are yet to be made. When asked whether the case qualifies as a hate crime, Dongare said that it is too early to draw such a conclusion.
Although CCTV cameras were not installed exactly at the crime scene, investigators are examining footage from nearby areas to trace the movements of the accused and piece together the sequence of events.
After the postmortem was completed, Sukhen’s body was handed over to his brothers, who have since left for their native village in Purulia to perform the last rites. As the political narrative and police investigation move along parallel tracks, the case has sparked debate over migrant safety and communal harmony.
