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The son of a Kolkata traffic police sergeant who was martyred in 2002 while trying to protect a woman from harassment was arrested early Sunday in connection with a cyber investment fraud case registered in Delhi. Sankha Subhra Sen (23), son of late Sergeant Bapi Sen, was taken into custody by the cyber crime unit of Delhi Police. He was, however, granted conditional bail by a Kolkata court the same day, with directions to cooperate with the investigation and appear before the competent court in Delhi on the stipulated date.
According to police sources, Sankha Subhra was brought to Parnasree police station late Saturday night from his Behala residence for questioning. After hours of interrogation through the night, his arrest was formally recorded in the early hours of Sunday. Investigators said the decision was taken after he failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding certain financial transactions and contacts flagged during the probe.
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Key Evidence Uncovered
Officials associated with the investigation claimed that CCTV footage has emerged showing Sankha Subhra withdrawing cash from one of the bank accounts where proceeds of an alleged investment scam had been parked. The footage, police said, currently constitutes a crucial link in the case. Investigators are examining whether the money trail was deliberately diverted through cash withdrawals instead of direct transfers to obscure the movement of funds.
A senior Kolkata Police officer said, “In Case No. 54/2025 registered in Delhi, action has been initiated under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). After the arrest, the accused was produced before a local court, which issued the necessary transit-related orders.” The officer added that preliminary findings suggest the case may be linked to a multi-state cyber fraud network.
Family’s Defense and Allegations
Family members and acquaintances have questioned the allegations, maintaining that Sankha Subhra has no criminal antecedents and may have been unknowingly used by others to withdraw money. A family associate claimed, “Even the police have acknowledged that no suspicious amount was credited to his personal bank account. The CCTV footage only shows him withdrawing cash. He has also shared the name and contact details of the person who asked him to make the withdrawal.”
Police Response on Investigation Fairness
The associate further alleged that the family did not receive adequate cooperation during questioning at Parnasree police station, despite Sankha Subhra’s mother, Soma Sen, being a serving officer of the Kolkata Police. Police officials, however, denied the allegation, asserting that the investigation is being conducted strictly in accordance with the law and without bias.
Broader Cyber Fraud Context
Sources in Delhi Police said that over the past few months, several cases of cyber investment fraud have been reported from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and other parts of northern India. These cases allegedly share common features such as similar calling patterns, fake investment promises and the use of multiple bank accounts to route money. While piecing together these links, investigators traced certain transactions to Kolkata, bringing Sankha Subhra under scrutiny due to his alleged involvement in suspicious withdrawals.
Background of the Martyr Father
Sankha Subhra’s father, Sergeant Bapi Sen, was on duty on the night of December 31, 2002, in the Wellington area of Kolkata when he intervened after a woman was subjected to obscene remarks. He was allegedly assaulted by personnel of a reserve force unit and suffered grievous injuries. After remaining in a coma for five days, he succumbed to his injuries. His death had sparked widespread outrage and had been hailed as an act of exceptional courage and sacrifice.
At present, Sankha Subhra Sen remains out on bail, but the cyber crime unit of Delhi Police has maintained that the investigation is far from over. Officials said further action would be determined after a detailed analysis of digital evidence, banking records and call detail logs. The accused may be summoned to Delhi again for questioning if required as the probe progresses.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
