A realtor, who also trades in garments, was attacked with choppers and other sharp weapons on Kaiser Street in Narkeldanga early on Tuesday.

Abdul Abid, 33, suffered multiple injuries on his hands and shoulders. His family alleged that multiple bullets were fired at him and one of the bullets grazed his finger.

Police officers said arms were brandished at the victim but they had yet to get any evidence of bullets being fired.

Three men have been named in the FIR, including the alleged mastermind, who was arrested by officers of Bowbazar police station a few weeks ago in connection with a case. Abid had helped the cops arrest him.

The Bowbazar case accused had obtained bail last week and was apparently looking for Abid to take revenge.

Abid was taken to NRS Medical College and Hospital and later shifted to SSKM.

“Someone telephoned my son and wanted to meet him. He left home (to meet the caller) and was attacked a while later. Extortionists were involved in the attack,” Abid’s father Sheikh A. Samad said.

Relatives alleged Abid was attacked by a gang of six or seven men armed with sharp weapons and guns.

“There were six or seven men. They fired four rounds targeting Abid. One bullet
hit a finger,” said a family member.

Kolkata Police commissioner Manoj Verma said no evidence of any bullet injury had been found. “We have seen the injury report. There is no specific mention of any bullet injury. We will make queries on that,” he said.

The police said the incident happened early on Tuesday when a group gathered outside Abid’s home and one of the men called him up and asked him to step out.

Officers from Narkeldanga police station recorded Abid’s statement at the hospital later on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the men had brandished arms and forced him to step out into the alley outside his house. He did as asked, fearing being shot.

But when they tried to force him into a car, he resisted. That is when they attacked him with choppers.

“The victim did not speak about bullets being fired. The hospitals have also confirmed that the victim did not suffer any bullet injury,” said a senior officer of the eastern suburban division of the city police.

The police said a search had been launched to nab all the accused.

Many in the neighbourhood said they were feeling insecure after the violence.

“This is a prominent location in the heart of the city. We will be scared to be outdoors at night,” said a homemaker, who lives two buildings away.

Abid, who lives with his family, has two children.