kolkata

Updated: Jan 21, 2018 08:02 IST

A biker was allegedly punched and kicked to death in Kolkata on Saturday because he did not bribe the civic police volunteers who caught him driving without a helmet.

Eyewitnesses told the police Soumen Debnath (49) was stopped by some civic police volunteers at a busy intersection in North 24 Parganas district. The volunteers allegedly asked for bribe and kicked and punched Debnath when he refused to pay. On seeing local people rushing to Debnath’s rescue, the volunteers fled while Debnath was taken to a local hospital where he died.

The incident took place at around 11am and rocked the crowded Madhyamgram area, located about 25km to the north of Kolkata. People blocked Jessore Road for several hours demanding action against regular traffic police personnel as well as civic volunteers who receive a fixed monthly honorarium from the government. Asking for bribe from bikers and goods vehicle drivers was a routine affair, they alleged.

In the afternoon, the district police arrested Soumen Roy, a civic police volunteer, and charged him with murder. “We are examining footages caught on security cameras. If others are involved they will be booked too,” said Abhijit Banerjee, additional superintendent of police.

Debnath, who used to work for a private company, was the sole bread earner in his family. He is survived by his parents, wife and two daughters. While his younger daughter is a student of Class 8, the elder is pursuing a master’s degree in science.