TMC’s Durgapur-Faridpur block president Shatdeep Ghatak arrested

Trinamool leader in Durgapur arrested for post-poll violence, alleges vendetta

Police arrested TMC leader Shatdeep Ghatak in Durgapur over fraud, intimidation and post-poll violence allegations. The arrest came amid a wider police crackdown, while Ghatak called the case politically motivated.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Shatdeep Ghatak was taken into custody from Laudoha on Sunday night
  • Police said complaints accused him of threatening workers and intimidating residents
  • Ghatak called the case politically motivated and questioned the timing

Police arrested a local Trinamool Congress leader in Bengal’s Durgapur on Sunday night following allegations of fraud, intimidation, and post-poll violence, officials said.

Shatdeep Ghatak, the TMC’s Durgapur-Faridpur block president, was taken into custody from the Laudoha area. Police said the charges stem from complaints that Ghatak threatened opposition workers and attempted to influence residents through intimidation.

According to sources, the arrest follows a recent directive from Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who ordered state police to crack down on lawlessness regardless of political affiliation. Police have since ramped up operations across several districts, leading to the arrests of multiple TMC office-bearers on extortion and violence charges.

Ghatak denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated.

"I have been arrested in connection with allegations of post-poll violence and rigging related to the 2021 Assembly elections," Ghatak told India Today. "But in 2021, my entire world had collapsed and I was grieving. Even today, after so many years, I do not understand why I have suddenly been arrested."

Police said Ghatak will be presented before the Durgapur Sub-Divisional Court, where investigators plan to seek custody.

The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of another TMC official earlier on Sunday. Police in Hooghly arrested Baidyabati Municipality councillor Raju Parui after a complaint was lodged by a BJP worker.

The complainant, Snehanshu Mahanta, alleged that Parui assaulted and misbehaved with BJP workers during a door-to-door campaign on April 26.

Investigation into both cases is ongoing.

- Ends
With inputs by Anupam Mishra