Bengal Police ASI arrested for rape at Salt Lake guest house, Kolkata
Synopsis
A serving West Bengal Police ASI, accused of raping a woman at a Salt Lake guest house on 19 June, was run to ground in Mumbai after allegedly absconding mid-bail proceedings — tracked by mobile location data across state lines. The case raises uncomfortable questions about internal oversight when the accused is a cop who knew how to disappear.
Key Takeaways
Ajmal Haque , an ASI of West Bengal Police posted at Nalhati police station, Birbhum , was arrested in Bandra, Mumbai on Monday, 17 August .
He is accused of raping a woman at a guest house in CL Block, Salt Lake, Kolkata on 19 June .
The complainant filed a written complaint at Bidhannagar East Police Station in July .
Haque allegedly absconded after applying for anticipatory bail, crossing from Birbhum into Maharashtra .
He was traced using mobile phone location data and produced before the Bidhannagar court on 18 August ; police have sought his custody.
Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage and the guest house register as part of the ongoing probe.
Bidhannagar Police have arrested an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of West Bengal Police on charges of raping a woman at a guest house in the Salt Lake area of Kolkata, officials confirmed on Tuesday, 18 August. The accused, Ajmal Haque, was apprehended in Bandra, Mumbai, on Monday after he allegedly absconded following a court order on his anticipatory bail application.
The Arrest
Ajmal Haque, posted at Nalhati police station in Birbhum district, was tracked down by a team from Bidhannagar East Police Station using mobile phone location data and inputs gathered through what officials described as 'secret channels.' He was brought to Kolkata on transit remand and produced before the Bidhannagar court on Tuesday, where police sought his custody for further investigation.
What the Complaint Alleges
According to police, the alleged incident took place on 19 June this year. The complainant filed a written complaint at Bidhannagar East Police Station in July, alleging that she had gone to a guest house in CL Block, Salt Lake, where the accused ASI raped her. Investigators are examining the guest house register, CCTV footage, and the prior contact between the accused and the complainant to build the evidentiary record.
How the Accused Was Located
After his anticipatory bail application was filed, Haque allegedly disobeyed the court's directives and absconded — first leaving Birbhum district and then crossing state lines into Maharashtra. Bidhannagar East Police coordinated with Birbhum District Police before acting on a tip that he was hiding in Mumbai. 'Based on the location of his mobile phone and information obtained during the investigation, it was learned that he was hiding in Mumbai. A team reached there, conducted a raid and arrested Ajmal Haque,' an official stated.
What Investigators Are Focusing On
Investigators are now working to corroborate the complainant's account with physical and digital evidence. The probe is centred on the sequence of events at the guest house, the nature of prior contact between the two parties, and any entries in the guest house register that could establish a timeline. CCTV footage from the premises is also under review.
Broader Context
The case adds to a pattern of scrutiny over law enforcement conduct in West Bengal, coming months after sustained public debate over police accountability in the state. The fact that the accused was a serving police officer who allegedly fled jurisdiction — crossing into another state — has drawn attention to internal oversight mechanisms within the force. Notably, it was intelligence and mobile-location tracking, rather than departmental action, that led to his arrest.
The investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected as police present findings before the court.
Point of View
Apply for anticipatory bail, and then abscond across state lines before being caught via mobile tracking is a damning commentary on departmental vigilance. West Bengal Police's internal oversight did not flag Haque's disappearance — it was investigative legwork by Bidhannagar East, not any institutional alarm, that brought him in. The months-long gap between the alleged incident in June and the July complaint also warrants scrutiny: delayed reporting in cases involving accused police personnel is a documented pattern, and the reasons behind that delay deserve as much investigative attention as the crime itself.
NationPress
18 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ajmal Haque and what is he accused of?
Ajmal Haque is an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of West Bengal Police posted at Nalhati police station in Birbhum district. He is accused of raping a woman at a guest house in CL Block, Salt Lake, Kolkata on 19 June 2025.
Where and when was Ajmal Haque arrested?
Haque was arrested in Bandra, Mumbai on Monday, 17 August , by a team from Bidhannagar East Police Station. He was brought to Kolkata on transit remand and produced before the Bidhannagar court on 18 August.
How did police locate the accused in Mumbai?
According to officials, investigators used mobile phone location data and information gathered through intelligence channels to trace Haque to Mumbai. A police team then conducted a raid and arrested him.
Why did the accused flee?
According to investigators, Haque applied for anticipatory bail but allegedly disobeyed the court's order and absconded — first leaving Birbhum district and then crossing into Maharashtra. Police say he was hiding in Mumbai when arrested.
What evidence are investigators examining?
The investigation is focused on CCTV footage from the Salt Lake guest house, the guest house register, and the prior contact between the accused and the complainant. Police are working to build a detailed evidentiary record to support the complaint.
