Kolkata: Anis Khan, a 27-year-old former Aliah University student, was found dead outside his home in Howrah’s Amta neighbourhood on Friday night. His parents have alleged that he was thrown off the roof of the building by four police officers, who had come to search for their son.The police, however, have denied that any officers were sent to Khan’s home on Friday night.The news of Anis’s death as a result of alleged police misconduct sparked large protests in Calcutta’s Park Circus on Saturday evening, with some protestors clashing with cops.According to sources, Anis was a supporter of the Students’ Federation of India during his time at Amta College and was involved with the Indian Secular Front led by Abbas Siddiqui.Based on a complaint lodged by Anis’s father, Salam Khan, the police have filed a murder case.Salam claimed that four people barged into his Amta home on Friday night, including three civic volunteers. One of the four was dressed in full police gear. The team was interested in learning more about his son’s whereabouts. According to Salam, there were cases pending against Anis with the Amta police.“I told them he was going to a jalsa in the neighbourhood, but they refused to believe me, and three of them ran upstairs.” Salam told reporters, “I heard a sound and found my child laying in a pool of blood below.” He said that the man threw his son off the roof.No team was sent to Anis’s house, according to senior police officers directing the investigation from Howrah rural area.Anis had serious injuries on the back of his head and body, and minor wounds on his right leg, according to a preliminary post-mortem study. Officers stated that the final report was pending.After being asked to vacate the varsity a month ago owing to escalating COVID-19 numbers, Anis took part in a movement by Aliah University students protesting the university’s poor management.Candlelight march demanding justice for Anis Khan at Aliah University. Photo: Author providedMinister and Trinamul Congress leader Firhad Hakim said a comprehensive investigation into the event should be conducted to determine how four people impersonating the police were able to enter a house. “Such cases have been reported in Uttar Pradesh, but not in Bengal,” Hakim said.The death triggered a political uproar, with the SFI calling it “murder” and launching a countrywide agitation for justice for Anis on Sunday.“I can’t recollect such a horrible murder occurring in post-Independent India,” CPI(M) leader Mohd Salim stated. “I’m not sure if it happened in India before it became independent. Anis Khan has been spearheading a student protest at Aliah University for the past 137 days against Mamata Banerjee’s attempt to take away varsity land that was provided to it under the Left Front era.”“The true criminals behind this crime must be found,” ISF leader and Bhangar MLA Naushad Siddiqui remarked. “People will lose trust in the police if it doesn’t happen.”
