West Bengal: Man accused of shooting cop killed in police encounter, 5th since BJP came to power
New Delhi: A man accused of shooting a police constable in West Bengal’s Birbhum district was killed in a police encounter on Sunday, according to a senior police officer. Ratan Sheikh was killed after he allegedly opened fire at a police team that had gone to arrest him.
The incident took place at a brick kiln in Nanoor where police were trying to apprehend Sheikh, who had been absconding. He was accused of shooting constable Biswajit Das during an arrest attempt at Laik Bazar under the Santiniketan police station area on November 13.
Das was shot in the leg during the incident. He was initially taken to Bolpur Sub-Divisional Hospital before being shifted to Burdwan Medical College and Hospital. He was later moved to a hospital in Kolkata for further treatment.
The latest incident is being described as the fifth police encounter in West Bengal in the six months since the BJP came to power in the state.
Who was Ratan Sheikh?
Sheikh, a resident of Saonta village in Nanoor, was reportedly a history-sheeter with several cases registered against him. Police sources said the cases included allegations linked to illegal possession of firearms and drug trafficking.
According to police, Sheikh had been arrested in connection with one case a few months ago and secured bail on Friday. Police then went to arrest him in connection with another case when he allegedly opened fire at the team.
CM questions bail, backs police
Chief Minister and state Police Minister Suvendu Adhikari had visited injured constable Das at Burdwan Medical College and Hospital on Saturday and praised his courage. While reacting to Sheikh’s death, Adhikari told reporters, “If someone opens fire at the police, should the police offer them sweets?” He said criminals have no place in the state.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: On the police encounter of accused Ratan Sheikh in Birbhum, West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari says, “He shot at the police, and the police did what needed to be done on the spot. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on this. There is no place for goons and rapists in West Bengal. Even now, whatever remaining goons and those with illegal arms are left, flee from here; leave immediately. There is no place for them here.”
— ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2026
The Chief Minister also questioned how Sheikh managed to secure bail during the court’s Puja vacation. He said the circumstances surrounding the bail would be examined including the role of the government lawyer handling the case.
According to Adhikari, Sheikh had obtained bail in 36 cases at the same time. He said the circumstances behind the development were being looked into. Adhikari also maintained that police personnel had the right to defend themselves when faced with danger while stressing that action must remain within the law.