Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews | April 12, 2025 | Kolkata : In the aftermath of the Kasba incident, where a viral image captured Sub-Inspector Riton Das appearing to kick teachers during an official police raid, the family of the officer has spoken out, asserting that the act was one of self-defense. The image, which has circulated widely across social media platforms and digital news outlets, has triggered significant public scrutiny, including criticism and speculation regarding the officer’s professional conduct and background.
According to his parents, Jyotindra Kumar Das and Deepali Das, the event unfolded under extreme provocation. Speaking to reporters at their residence in Jhaukhali under the Shambhungar Gram Panchayat in Gosaba on Friday, they maintained that Riton Das was compelled to react in order to protect himself. They alleged that during the incident, the officer was manhandled—his clothes were pulled, his uniform was nearly torn off, and he was subjected to verbal and physical harassment—leaving him no alternative but to act in defense.
Sub-Inspector Riton Das, an officer of the 2010 batch, is currently posted at Kasba police station following a transfer during last year’s election season. Before his present assignment, he served at New Alipore and Behala police stations. During his tenure in Behala, he led investigations in a widely reported case in which a deceased woman’s body was found preserved in a refrigerator for over three years. While posted in New Alipore, he cracked a high-profile burglary case in a luxury residence and successfully apprehended the suspect from Jalandhar.
Despite his prior record and recognition, the public reaction to the Kasba incident has cast a shadow over his reputation. The image showing him in a seemingly aggressive act has gone viral and become the subject of extensive debate online, including sarcastic and critical commentary. The issue has also reignited concerns around policing practices and law enforcement response protocols.
Riton Das, who resides with his wife and young daughter at the police quarters in the Banshdroni area, frequently visits his family home in Gosaba. Locals and acquaintances from his childhood have expressed disbelief over the incident, describing him as a disciplined, academically inclined, and soft-spoken individual.
While no official statement has yet been issued by the police department regarding the incident, the viral image continues to provoke mixed reactions. Meanwhile, his family stands firm in defense of his actions, emphasizing that the response was necessitated by the immediate threat faced during duty and urging the public to consider the context before forming judgments.