One more Trinamool councillor from Bidhannagar arrested

Four Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillors from the municipality of Bidhannagar, also known as Salt Lake City, have been arrested so far in West Bengal. One other TMC councillor was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the same area. Samrat Barua, TMC councillor from Ward 6, Bidhannagar, was arrested on Saturday (May 23, 2026) morning for intimidation, violence, and extortion. Sushobhan Mandal (Ward 26), Samaresh Chakraborty (Ward 9), and Ranjan Poddar (Ward 34) are the other TMC councillors arrested in the past few days, under charges similar to those made against Mr. Barua. Meanwhile, on Friday (May 22, 2026) evening, Shankar Rout, a local TMC workers’ union leader from Baranagar in the northern fringes of Kolkata, was arrested under charges of extortion and physical violence, and produced in court on Saturday (May 23, 2026).

In a massive crackdown, several TMC leaders, including councillors, panchayat pradhans and local leaders, have been arrested after the new BJP government came to power. The charges against the arrested TMC leaders have ranged from post-poll violence after the 2021 Assembly election to extortion, threats, money laundering, and more. The TMC’s top leadership has largely remained silent on the arrests. “They [TMC councillors] have done this before and are continuing with their threats. They need to change their habits. Many have gone underground, but the police will find them. No one can escape the law if they have wronged people,” State Cabinet Minister Dilip Ghosh said.

Only leaders against whom complaints have been made were being arrested, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and MP Sukanta Majumdar said. Bidhannagar MLA and former TMC Minister Sujit Bose was arrested a week ago by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the municipality recruitment scam case. Several others in the Bidhannagar constituency have found themselves in the West Bengal Police’s net. Mr. Sujit Bose’s son, Samudra Bose, was brought in for questioning by the ED. Partha Verma, TMC councillor of the South Dum Dum municipality, a close associate of Mr. Sujit Bose, was arrested on Thursday (May 21, 2026) night. Councillor Debraj Chakraborty, husband of former MLA Aditi Munshi, has been questioned in a disproportionate assets case, and several of his close associates have been arrested.

Sanjay Das, TMC councillor of the South Dum Dum municipality, who was reportedly close to Mr. Chakraborty, was found dead in his home on Saturday (May 23, 2026). A case of unnatural death has been registered, and a final police report is awaited. Those who require assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts may contact Fortis Mental Health 24X7 helpline 8376804102.