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Regular-article-logo Saturday, 21 June 2025

SKULL SCAM PROBE SOUGHT 

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BY DEEPANKAR GANGULY Published 01.08.01, 12:00 AM
Calcutta, Aug. 1 :    Calcutta, Aug. 1:  Alarmed at the discovery of a flourishing racket in human skeletons in the Beniapukur area, a delegation from the Mohammedan Burial Board has decided to meet commissioner of police Sujay Chakraborty and demand 'a probe into the smuggling of skeletons and skulls from burial grounds for commercial purposes'. Members of the Board will also request him to 'beef up security' at the graveyards. Bishop P.S.P. Raju has also expressed concern over the skeleton scam. The civic health department recently unearthed an illegal racket in anatomical specimens where hundreds of human skulls and skeletons of men, women and children were found, ready for despatch in the heart of the city at 4A, Dihi Srirampur Road, under the jurisdiction of Beniapukur police station. Vinesh Aroon, the kingpin of the skeleton-smuggling racket, was arrested by the police and the specimens seized. At an emergency meeting on Tuesday, the Mohammedan Burial Board took a resolution, expressing concern over the matter. Vice-chairman of the board Mumtaz Alam said on Wednesday that most of the skeletons and skulls were from the Gobra, Topsia and Hindu burial grounds. Dihi Srirampur Road was selected as the hub for its proximity to the burial grounds. Member, mayor-in-council (health) Javed Ahmed Khan, who had led the raid, said Aroon, the owner of the firm, 'Young Brothers', failed to produce a valid trade licence for his business and account for the procurement of skeletons and skulls. From the price list, it was found that he would charge Rs 8,000 for an articulated human skeleton (male or female) and Rs 9,500 for an articulated child skeleton. A human skull, complete in 22 parts, cost Rs 3,000 and a foetal skull Rs 1,300. Local people alleged that they were never allowed to enter the premises of the firm and its owner passed himself off as a medical book-seller. Medical students visited his firm frequently. During the raid, Khan faced opposition from the CPM local committee when committee member Tulsi Chakraborty challenged his authority to enter the premises without a warrant. He also prevented photographers to take pictures of either the skulls or of the owner of the firm. Run over: A 50-year-old woman was killed when a speeding lorry knocked her down at Shibpur, in Howrah. Police said Ranu Mukhejee, the victim, was trying to cross the road. Police impounded the killer vehicle but the driver fled.    
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