Days after a Trinamool Congress worker was arrested in connection with the attack on Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee, another accused in the case has now been identified as a local TMC leader, raising fresh questions over the party’s claim that BJP supporters were behind the incident.
Earlier, one of the accused, Akash Gayen, was arrested and later identified by his family and neighbours as a Trinamool Congress worker. His mother had told the media, “He used to sit in the booth of Trinamool Congress. Why would he be angry? He was a Trinamool Congress worker.” Local residents had also confirmed his association with the ruling party.
Now, the biggest name among those arrested is Nirmalya Sengupta, a local TMC strongman from Rajpur-Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas district. Sengupta was arrested after being identified in videos related to the May 30 attack on Abhishek Banerjee.
Local TMC leader main name among 6 held for attack on Abhishek Banerjee https://t.co/Q71u42S2xG
— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) June 5, 2026
Local TMC leader among accused
The attack took place on 30th May, when Abhishek Banerjee was visiting Rajpur-Sonarpur Municipality and was targeted with eggs, shoes and stones. The Trinamool Congress had immediately described the incident as a “planned and BJP-sponsored” attack and shared videos claiming BJP workers were involved.
However, Sengupta’s arrest has busted that claim. His residence in Kamrabad is known locally as an office of the TMC-affiliated Jai Hind Bahini. Residents say the building has remained locked since the day of the incident.
A local club member told reporters, “Sengupta is one of the prominent TMC leaders of Ward No. 9. We saw him that day in the crowd during the incident. After that, we have not seen him. His home is locked too.”
Questions over TMC’s BJP claim
With Akash Gayen already identified as a TMC worker and Sengupta now emerging as another TMC-linked accused, questions are being raised about the party’s claim that the attack was solely the work of BJP supporters.
A police officer of South 24 Parganas said, “We arrested six people based on footage of the incident. They got bail, but our investigation is on.”
Police have arrested six people so far in the case and have said that the investigation is continuing. Officials are examining video footage and other evidence, and more people may be questioned as the probe progresses.
