NIA arrests former TMC MP’s husband in connection with 2023 Ram Navami violence

File image. | Photo credit: PTI

More than 50 suspects were arrested by the state police and subsequently by the central agency as it took over the investigation from the state police on 27 April that year on the instructions of the Calcutta High Court.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday (June 30, 2026) arrested Trinamool Congress councilor Shakir Ali, who is also the husband of former party MP Aparupa Poddar, in connection with public violence organized during Ram Navami rallies across the state in March-April 2023.

A police officer familiar with the matter said that Mr. Ali, councilor of Rishra village, was arrested by the agency from his residence and will be produced before the court. “The agency is investigating the involvement of several persons in the case. Chaos also broke out outside Mr. Ali’s house when the agency went to arrest him on Tuesday (June 30, 2026) morning. His wife, a two-time MP from Arambagh, Mrs. Poddar, was also seen having a verbal altercation with the officials who captured him.

According to officials, at least six cases of Ram Navami violence have been registered across the state in 2023, with one registered at Rishra police station and two others at the adjacent Sreerampur police station.

Widespread violence was reported from Dalkhola in North Bengal’s Uttar Dinajpur district, Shibpur in Howrah and Rishra in Hooghly over Ram Navami processions by various Hindu organizations – leading to communal clashes and destruction of public property, including arson and vandalism of railway land.

More than 50 suspects were arrested by the state police and subsequently by the central agency as it took over the charge of the investigation from the state police on 27 April that year on the directions of the Calcutta High Court.

However, the Trinamool Congress called it a “selective action” against those who remained loyal to Mamata Banerjee as around 65 MLAs and 20 MPs of the party revolted soon after its defeat in the State Assembly elections in May.

TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh said, “Police does not act against those who are forced to join the rebel group of the party. Even if they are arrested, they are granted bail. Aparupa Poddar remained loyal to Mamata Banerjee and tried to rejuvenate the party in her area. That is why her husband was targeted.”

Published – 30 Jun 2026 23:25 IST