Rishra: Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillor Sakir Ali was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday in connection with the widespread violence that erupted during the 2023 Ram Navami processions in Rishra, Hooghly, about 25 km from Kolkata.
The councillor of Ward 8 of the Rishra municipality was taken into custody following an early morning raid at the residence of his wife, former Arambagh TMC MP Aparupa Poddar.
Ali is accused of inciting clashes and orchestrating targeted violence, the NIA has said. His arrest follows a prolonged, comprehensive investigation and subsequent statements provided by previously arrested co-accused.
The NIA team, accompanied by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel, reached Poddar’s residence in the Hooghly district, carrying out raids and simultaneous questioning, as reported by The Economic Times.
According to officials, six cases were registered in connection with the violence, including two related to incidents in Rishra.
“The way Ali incited violence in Hooghly was known to everyone, and the incident was also videographed. The state government is doing its own work. I hope the people who earlier obstructed the NIA’s investigation are also identified,” BJP chief spokesperson Debjit Sarkar said.
Ali’s arrest comes a day after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested proclaimed offender Khalid-Uz-Zaman in connection with a post-poll violence case in West Bengal from the remote village of Yetala in Maharashtra. The accused had been absconding since the FIR was registered in 2021 and had never joined the investigation, the agency said in a statement.
“The CBI registered the case on September 1, 2021, in compliance with the Calcutta High Court’s order dated August 19, 2021, by taking over Duttapukur Police Station FIR No. 286/2021 relating to the alleged killing of Hasnur Zaman on May 3, 2021, at North Kalsara village in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. After investigation, the CBI filed charge sheets and supplementary charge sheets against 13 accused persons during 2021-22, including Khalid-Uz-Zaman,” the CBI said.
“The accused will be produced before the competent court at Dharmabad for transit remand. Subsequently, he will be brought to Kolkata and produced before the court of the Additional Sessions Judge at Barasat, West Bengal,” the agency said.
