By The Sampadak Express
A West Bengal government employee was arrested after allegedly stabbing several of his colleagues, following the rejection of his leave request in Kolkata’s Newtown area. The disturbing incident took place on Thursday afternoon at Karigari Bhawan, where Amit Kumar Sarkar, the accused, became enraged after his leave application was turned down.
The Stabbing IncidentSarkar’s frustration over his leave request being denied reportedly led to a heated argument with his colleagues. In a fit of rage, he attacked them with a knife inside the office. During the attack, Sarkar also injured a security guard who was present at the office.
The situation escalated when Sarkar fled the scene and was seen walking through the streets of Newtown with a blood-stained knife in hand, alarming passersby. A viral video captured the disturbing moment, showing him strolling down a crowded road, carrying a bag on his back and another bag in his hand while gripping the knife. Onlookers could be heard pleading with him to drop the weapon, but Sarkar was seen warning them to stay away. The footage quickly spread across social media, drawing widespread attention.
Police Response and Arrest
The tense situation was defused by a traffic police officer who firmly instructed Sarkar to surrender. Following the officer’s command, Sarkar complied and was taken into custody without further incident. The police later confirmed that he was arrested for his involvement in the stabbing spree.
Investigation Details
During police questioning, Sarkar claimed that his colleagues had made offensive comments about his father, which further inflamed his anger. However, investigators have yet to confirm the truth of these claims. Authorities are also probing how Sarkar obtained the knife used in the attack. They are looking into the circumstances surrounding his access to the weapon and whether there were any lapses in security at the office.
Sarkar’s arrest has prompted further investigation into the incident. Police are also examining whether he may have any underlying mental health issues that contributed to his violent behavior.
Legal Action
A case has been registered against Sarkar, with charges including attempted murder, assault, and possession of a weapon. Authorities are continuing to collect evidence and are expected to file additional charges if further wrongdoing is uncovered during the investigation.
A Similar Incident in Gurugram
This violent workplace attack comes just weeks after a similar incident in Gurugram. On January 4, a 26-year-old man, Dalip Kumar, was fatally stabbed by his colleague, Arjun Shavtal, following a dispute over work quality. The accused, 22-year-old Shavtal, reportedly harbored resentment against Kumar, who he claimed had frequently criticized his work, threatened him, and even physically assaulted him. In an act of frustration, Shavtal took a knife from the kitchen of the guest house where they both worked and fatally stabbed Kumar.
Police in Gurugram arrested Shavtal shortly after the incident and recovered the weapon used in the crime. A case was filed based on a complaint from Kumar’s brother, leading to Shavtal’s detention. During interrogation, Shavtal admitted that the ongoing work-related disputes had pushed him to the breaking point, resulting in the fatal stabbing.
Broader Concerns and Workplace Violence
Both of these incidents highlight the growing concern around workplace violence in India. While it is still unclear whether mental health issues played a role in either case, it is evident that unresolved workplace tensions, personal grievances, and stress are contributing to increasingly violent confrontations between colleagues. These incidents underline the need for better mechanisms to address workplace disputes, offer mental health support, and prevent such tragedies in the future.
As the investigations into both cases continue, law enforcement agencies are expected to focus on the broader issues of workplace culture and the handling of personal grievances in professional settings.
