Saurabh Mukherjee
The West Bengal police have arrested five people and detained two others in connection with the alleged assault on Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee during a visit to Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas district.
The action followed overnight raids conducted by multiple police teams after a suo motu case was registered based on video footage and other evidence.
According to senior police officials, three specialised teams were formed by Sonarpur police to identify and apprehend those allegedly involved in the incident.
“Five people have been formally arrested and taken into custody, while two others have been detained for questioning. Active raids are still underway. We are thoroughly scanning all available video evidence as the investigation proceeds,” a senior police officer told The Indian Express.
Police sources identified the arrested individuals as Nirmala Sengupta, Debasish Dutta, Kajol Das and Akash Gayen, among others. All five are expected to be produced before the Baruipur court.
The incident took place on Saturday evening when Abhishek Banerjee travelled to Sonarpur to meet the family of a TMC worker who was reportedly killed in post-poll violence. As his convoy approached the area, protesters allegedly greeted him with black flags and “go back” slogans. Since the road leading to the worker’s residence was too narrow for vehicles, Banerjee reportedly switched to a motorcycle to continue the journey.
According to accounts from the scene, a crowd then surrounded the MP, pulled him off the motorcycle, shouted “chor, chor” (thief), and allegedly hurled bricks, shoes and eggs. Several women were also seen waving brooms during the protest. Security personnel, including state police and central forces, intervened and escorted him away from the area.
Banerjee was subsequently taken to a nearby private hospital and later shifted to another medical facility before being discharged around 11 pm.
The TMC has maintained that the attack was preplanned and carried out with political motives, while the BJP has denied any role and described it as a spontaneous expression of public anger.
Late on Saturday night, former West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee strongly condemned the attack and expressed concern over her nephew’s condition.
"Abhishek could have died if not for his helmet; he has blood clots around his chest,” she told reporters.
Mamata also launched a scathing attack on the BJP, saying that there was an attempt to damage Abhishek's eyes during the attack. However, Abhishek Banerjee reportedly made statements regarding his injuries that differed from those made by his aunt.
The political confrontation intensified further after Mamata Banerjee alleged that the BJP had pressured hospitals not to admit Abhishek Banerjee following the attack.
The BJP, in turn, rejected the charge and claimed that the Trinamool leader was seeking hospitalisation to avoid appearing before the CID in connection with the West Bengal signature forgery case, for which he is scheduled to be questioned on Monday.
With arrests already made and further raids continuing, the incident has triggered a fresh political controversy in West Bengal, with both the TMC and the BJP trading allegations over responsibility for the violence and its aftermath.
The action followed overnight raids conducted by multiple police teams after a suo motu case was registered based on video footage and other evidence.
According to senior police officials, three specialised teams were formed by Sonarpur police to identify and apprehend those allegedly involved in the incident.
“Five people have been formally arrested and taken into custody, while two others have been detained for questioning. Active raids are still underway. We are thoroughly scanning all available video evidence as the investigation proceeds,” a senior police officer told The Indian Express.
Police sources identified the arrested individuals as Nirmala Sengupta, Debasish Dutta, Kajol Das and Akash Gayen, among others. All five are expected to be produced before the Baruipur court.
The incident took place on Saturday evening when Abhishek Banerjee travelled to Sonarpur to meet the family of a TMC worker who was reportedly killed in post-poll violence. As his convoy approached the area, protesters allegedly greeted him with black flags and “go back” slogans. Since the road leading to the worker’s residence was too narrow for vehicles, Banerjee reportedly switched to a motorcycle to continue the journey.
According to accounts from the scene, a crowd then surrounded the MP, pulled him off the motorcycle, shouted “chor, chor” (thief), and allegedly hurled bricks, shoes and eggs. Several women were also seen waving brooms during the protest. Security personnel, including state police and central forces, intervened and escorted him away from the area.
Banerjee was subsequently taken to a nearby private hospital and later shifted to another medical facility before being discharged around 11 pm.
The TMC has maintained that the attack was preplanned and carried out with political motives, while the BJP has denied any role and described it as a spontaneous expression of public anger.
Late on Saturday night, former West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee strongly condemned the attack and expressed concern over her nephew’s condition.
"Abhishek could have died if not for his helmet; he has blood clots around his chest,” she told reporters.
Mamata also launched a scathing attack on the BJP, saying that there was an attempt to damage Abhishek's eyes during the attack. However, Abhishek Banerjee reportedly made statements regarding his injuries that differed from those made by his aunt.
The political confrontation intensified further after Mamata Banerjee alleged that the BJP had pressured hospitals not to admit Abhishek Banerjee following the attack.
The BJP, in turn, rejected the charge and claimed that the Trinamool leader was seeking hospitalisation to avoid appearing before the CID in connection with the West Bengal signature forgery case, for which he is scheduled to be questioned on Monday.
With arrests already made and further raids continuing, the incident has triggered a fresh political controversy in West Bengal, with both the TMC and the BJP trading allegations over responsibility for the violence and its aftermath.
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