A months-long stream of hostile correspondence directed at former India Captain Sourav Ganguly has developed into a police investigation after the latest letters allegedly threatened Ganguly, his wife Dona and others connected to the family.
The latest communications arrived on Monday, prompting the matter to be taken to Thakurpukur Police Station in south Kolkata, according to a report by PTI. Investigators are now pursuing several leads as they work to establish who was responsible and what was behind the alleged threats.
Ganguly family turns to police after months of letters
The correspondence had been reaching Ganguly for around six months without initially prompting police action. The earlier letters were treated as potentially stemming from a personal grievance against the former India Captain and former BCCI President.
Two further letters received on Monday changed the situation. A complaint lodged on Ganguly’s behalf subsequently brought the matter formally before the authorities.
The complaint filed on behalf of Sourav Ganguly stated: “The nature of the threats contained in the letters has caused serious concern among us. Since the letters have now escalated from hate/derogatory communication to explicit threats to life and personal safety, we believe that the matter requires immediate police intervention and investigation.”
The latest correspondence was directed at both Sourav and Dona Ganguly, while the alleged danger was not limited to the couple and extended to people working with the family.
Investigators pursue delivery trail
Attention has now shifted towards establishing how the correspondence reached the Ganguly family and identifying the individual responsible for sending it.
A Senior Police Officer said: “We are taking the complaint seriously and have begun an investigation. We are examining the letters, their source and the courier trail to identify the person responsible.”
Belgharia in North 24 Parganas district has emerged as an area of interest during the inquiry. Police have engaged with the courier company involved and are working through information connected with the deliveries.
The same investigation has produced a mobile-phone lead that authorities are attempting to locate.
The officer added: “We have spoken to the people from the courier service and tracked down one mobile number. We are trying to spot it.”
Police work to establish who was behind correspondence
The complaint names a person identified as Arun in connection with the letters. Authorities are examining the available delivery and telecommunications information while also determining whether one individual was responsible for the correspondence received throughout the six-month period.
Investigators are additionally seeking to establish a possible motive behind the communications.
The case has reached beyond the local police station, with the West Bengal Police Director of Security, the Kolkata Police intelligence department and other senior law-enforcement officials made aware of the matter.
Ganguly currently serves as President of the Cricket Association of Bengal, having previously captained India and served as President of the BCCI. The investigation now centres on identifying the person behind the correspondence and determining the circumstances surrounding the alleged threats against the Ganguly family.
