Kolkata police investigate death threats to Sourav Ganguly and wife Dona
Threat Letters Prompt Police Investigation
Sourav Ganguly, former captain of the Indian cricket team and ex-BCCI president, along with his wife Dona Ganguly, have reportedly received death threats, leading to a police investigation in Kolkata. The matter came to light after Sourav Ganguly’s secretary approached the Thakurpukur police station to file a complaint regarding the threats.
According to police statements, the couple allegedly received letters on Monday that contained explicit threats to their lives. These recent threats have prompted a formal police complaint and a review of the family’s security arrangements.
Details of the Complaint and Ongoing Probe
The complaint, lodged by Sourav Ganguly’s personal secretary, Taniya Bhattacharya, at the Thakurpukur Police Station, detailed a history of receiving objectionable letters. While earlier communications were initially dismissed as expressions of personal resentment from individuals who disliked Ganguly, the nature of the latest letters escalated concerns significantly.
The most recent letters, received at Sourav Ganguly’s office, explicitly threatened to kill him and his wife, and also to harm individuals close to them. These specific threats, written entirely in English, prompted the family to seek immediate police intervention. Family sources indicated that such letters have been arriving for approximately six months, initially brushed aside as the work of overzealous fans, but the repeated and aggressive tone of the latest messages necessitated police action.
The complaint identified the alleged sender as Arun and stated that the letters were dispatched from Belghoria in the North 24 Parganas district. Investigators are currently examining the contents of the letters and working to confirm the identity and motive of the sender. The Kolkata Police STF and the directorate of security have initiated a probe into the matter.
Police officials have confirmed that they are taking the complaint seriously and have commenced an investigation. Efforts are underway to examine the letters, determine their origin, and trace the courier trail to identify the individual responsible. As part of the investigation, the police are also scrutinizing the movement of a SIM card reportedly used by the sender and have contacted the relevant courier agency to gather details about the consignments.
An officer involved in the investigation, speaking anonymously, mentioned that they have communicated with the courier service personnel and have tracked a mobile number. They are actively trying to locate the individual associated with this number. Furthermore, authorities are working to ascertain whether all the threatening letters were sent by the same person.
The Kolkata Police STF has reportedly pinpointed a location approximately 32 kilometers from the Gangulys’ Behala residence, believed to be the origin point of the threat letters. Raids were reportedly being conducted at this site as of the latest reports. Preliminary investigations suggest the letters were sent to the Ganguly residence via courier, with the sender’s name on the packet listed as Arun Kumar, a resident of Belghoria. A ‘Truecaller’ search for a phone number mentioned in one of the letters also reportedly returned the same name.
Investigators are now focused on determining if the actual Arun Kumar is indeed the sender, or if someone else is using his identity to target the former India skipper. Given Sourav Ganguly’s prominent public profile, the state government’s security department has been alerted and is reviewing the threat to assess the need for additional security measures for him and his family. The latest letter was opened at the office of the Bengal cricket president on Monday.
Source: hindustantimes.com
