Rajganj BDO Prashant Barman Murder Case: The Calcutta High Court has given Rajganj Block Development Officer (BDO) Prashant Barman a strict deadline to surrender in connection with the murder of gold merchant Swapan Kamilya.
A division bench of the court ordered Barman to appear before the police by 3:30 pm on October 8. If he doesn’t surrender within the given time, the court has ordered steps to stop his salary and begin the process of identifying and seizing his assets. The court also directed the CID to submit a progress report on the investigation at the next hearing on December 14.
Arijit Singh Tour 2027: Check 9-City India Concert Schedule, Dates and Tickets
Barman Accused in Swapan Kamilya Murder
Barman is accused in the abduction and murder of gold trader Swapan Kamilya from New Town. Kamilya was reported missing from Salt Lake in October 2025 and his body was later found in New Town.
The case had already reached the Calcutta High Court earlier. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh had ordered Barman to surrender before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate of Bidhannagar within 72 hours. Barman challenged that order in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court later upheld the High Court’s order and directed him to surrender. However, Barman didn’t appear before the authorities. He was later treated as an absconder in the case.
Court Questions Why He Was Still Being Paid
During Tuesday’s hearing, Chief Justice Ravindra V Ghuge questioned how Barman could continue to receive his salary while he was not following court orders.
The court also referred to a Supreme Court ruling concerning the seizure of property belonging to an accused who remains absconding. Based on this, the bench ordered authorities to start the process of identifying Barman’s assets for possible confiscation.
The court had raised similar concerns during an earlier hearing in September. At that time, the Chief Justice had said “The Supreme Court had cancelled his bail, hadn’t it? He violated the Supreme Court’s order as well? He is indeed a very influential person!”
All India Bar Examination 2026: Check Last Date To Apply, Eligibility And Documents Required
Barman was Arrested in Drunk-Driving Case
Barman was arrested in New Town on May 25 after an incident involving alleged drunk driving. His vehicle hit a person and the incident led to locals stopping him before police arrived.
He was taken into custody but was released on bail the following day. Reports said the murder case documents had not reached the court and the investigating officer wasn’t present during the proceedings.
The case later came under fresh scrutiny after questions were raised over why Barman wasn’t taken into custody in the murder case. A Special Investigation Team was also formed to look into the gold merchant’s murder and Barman’s alleged role.
