TMC Workers' Behind Attack On Abhishek Banerjee? Accused Close To E TMC Sonarpur MLA
TMC Workers' Behind Attack On Abhishek Banerjee? Accused Close To E TMC Sonarpur MLA Published By, Last Updated: May 31, 2026, 18:40 IST Probe into
TMC Workers' Behind Attack On Abhishek Banerjee? Accused Close To E TMC Sonarpur MLA Published By, Last Updated: May 31, 2026, 18:40 IST Probe into attack on Abhishek Banerjee in Sonarpur widens as five are held, alleged links to former TMC MLA Lovely Maitra spark TMC BJP clash over political role in violence Arrested in Abhishek Banerjee Attack Were Close to TMC MLA Lovely Maitra. Image/PTI The probe into the attack on Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee in West Bengal’s Sonarpur has taken a fresh turn after several of the arrested accused were allegedly found to have links with former TMC MLA Lovely Maitra. Police have so far arrested five people and detained two others for allegedly heckling and attacking Banerjee during his visit to South 24 Parganas on Saturday. Investigators identified the accused through CCTV footage and videos of the incident. Banerjee sustained minor injuries after stones, eggs and shoes were allegedly hurled at him while he was visiting families affected by post-poll violence in Sonarpur.
Visuals from the spot also showed attempts to manhandle the TMC national general secretary amid chaotic scenes. The controversy deepened after BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar claimed that some of those arrested were Trinamool workers and were known to be close to former Sonarpur South MLA Lovely Maitra. Investigators are also examining the backgrounds of the accused and their possible political connections. Maitra denied the allegations and claimed that several women seen during the protest were active BJP workers. She accused the BJP of trying to portray local public anger as a planned political attack. Police have so far arrested at least five people in connection with the attack, including Tapan Maity, Akash Gayen, Kajal Das, Debasish Dutta and Nirmalya Sengupta, popularly known as Joy. Investigators are examining the background of the accused and their alleged roles in the incident. According to a CNN-News18 report, citing sources, Tapan Maity and Joy Sengupta were close associates of former TMC MLA Lovely Maitra. Kajal Das and Debasish Dutta were also reportedly linked to the former legislator.
All four are among those arrested in the case. Meanwhile, Joy Sengupta, who is another key accused in the case is said to be a local TMC leader with a long association with the party. While police have arrested him in connection with the attack, his family has strongly denied the allegations and claimed he has been falsely implicated. Family members said Sengupta had been associated with the Trinamool Congress since 1998 and remained loyal to the party despite changing political circumstances in the area. They also dismissed suggestions that Sengupta harboured resentment towards Abhishek Banerjee. Instead, they claimed he had advised Banerjee against visiting the area due to prevailing tensions, but the visit went ahead regardless. Attack On Abhishek Banerjee The attack has triggered a fierce political battle, with the TMC accusing BJP workers of orchestrating an attempt on Banerjee’s life, while the BJP questioned the identities and affiliations of those arrested. Banerjee alleged that the attackers wanted to kill him and said the matter would be raised before the courts and the governor.
He also claimed that security agencies failed to act despite prior information about possible trouble during his visit. The emergence of alleged links between the arrested accused and a former TMC legislator has added a new political dimension to the case, with rival parties trading charges as the investigation continues. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: West Bengal, India, India First Published: May 31, 2026, 18:40 IST News india TMC Workers' Behind Attack On Abhishek Banerjee? Accused Close To E TMC Sonarpur MLA Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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