In what may be one of the most unusual grievances to reach local police authorities, a resident of Chandrokonai in West Medinipur has reportedly filed a written complaint against a neighbourhood barber, alleging that his hair has been repeatedly “cut in all the wrong directions.” The complainant, Priyaranjan Basu, a resident of Ward No. 10 in Kshirpai under Chandrakona Police Station, claims his long-running battle with a local barber has turned into a personal grooming nightmare.
According to Basu’s written complaint, he had been visiting a salon located on the second floor opposite Amar Video Hall, run by one Durlav Manna, for routine hair and beard cuts. However, what started as a simple haircut routine slowly transformed into what Basu describes as a series of “creative but unwanted hairstyles.” Basu stated in the written complaint that he first noticed the issue when his hair appeared uneven after a haircut on the Valentine’s Day on February 14, 2024. While combing his hair at home after having the hair cut, he allegedly discovered that the sides had been cut unusually thin while the top had a confusing mix of short and long strands.
Undeterred, Basu returned to the salon and warned the barber that he would come back after a week to have the haircut fixed properly. But the story did not end there.
On March 5, 2024, Basu once again visited the salon for another haircut. Unfortunately, according to his complaint, the results were again surprising. After taking a bath and combing his hair at home, he claimed the sides of his hair appeared to be “lifting upwards,” while the top and back displayed what he described as an uneven patchwork. Determined to restore the order to his hairstyle, Basu reportedly returned to the salon and warned that if the situation continued, he might have to take the matter to the police.The drama reached its peak on March 10, 2024, when Basu visited the salon yet again and asked the barber to finally “fix and straighten” his hair. However, he alleged in the written complaint that the salon owner’s son confidently told him that even if he complained to the police, nothing would happen to him.
Despite the exchange, Basu reportedly paid for the haircut and returned home—only to find, after combing his hair again, that the haircut looked much the same as before. But he has alleged that, the barber has made the distorted haircut to him again intentionally. Basu has now approached Chandrokona police station requesting legal action against the salon owner and his son. The complainant person Priyaranjan Roy has demanded strict punishment against the barber.
Police authority and senior officers of West Bengal police are reportedly surprised by the unusual nature of the complaint.Police have yet to comment on whether the case will lead to an investigation—or perhaps just a recommendation for a different barber. However, a source in Bengal police told Times Now, “we have received his complaint. An enquiry is underway”.
