Trinamool MLA Paresh Ram Das arrested on charges of rape and extortion

Police said there are several allegations against MLA Paresh Ram Das, including extortion and rape. File image for illustration only | Photo credit: The Hindu

Mamata All India Trinamool Congress MLA Paresh Ram Das was arrested on Monday (November 9, 2026) from the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata. Police said there are several allegations against the Canning Paschim MLA, including blackmail and rape.

According to police sources, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Baruipur district police started tracking the MLA after receiving information that he was heading to the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Mr. Das defeated his nearest rival, the BJP candidate from Canning Paschim, by a margin of over 40,000 votes.

The team was subsequently contacted by the Bidhannagar Police Commissioner following which the MLA was arrested. Mr Das is among the handful of MLAs left behind by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Mamata’s AITC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said that since he was in the rebel camp, the police were inactive, but when the MLA pledged her alliance to Ms. Banerjee, he was arrested. Recently, the MLA posted on social media saying “Alvida Canning. We will meet again”.

Several Trinamool Congress leaders were arrested after the BJP came to power in May 2026, including five former ministers, including Bishnupur MLA Dilip Mondal. The list of former ministers who are behind bars includes Sujit Bose, Indranil Sen, Ujjwal Biswas and Udayan Guha.

Mamata Banerjee loyalists say leaders, MLAs and former ministers who have joined the rebel camp led by Ritabrata Banerjee are getting a reprieve from the police, while those still loyal to the former chief minister are being arrested.

Published – 10 Nov 2026 04:50 IST