Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Pares Ram Das, representing the Canning (Paschim) Assembly Constituency in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, was produced before a district court on Tuesday afternoon, 10 November 2026, following his arrest in a high-profile rape and extortion case. The public prosecutor is seeking police custody for sustained interrogation across multiple charges.

The Arrest

Das was apprehended on Monday evening by the Special Operations Group of the Baruipur Police District at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, reportedly as he was attempting to board a flight to Mumbai to evade arrest. He had been evading law enforcement for 17 days, repeatedly failing to respond to summons issued by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the West Bengal Police.

After his arrest, Das was held at the Narendrapur Police Station lockup under the Baruipur Police District. According to district police officials, Das spent the night seated on the lockup floor, consuming nothing except medicines prescribed by his doctor. He reportedly made repeated requests to be transferred to Sonarpur Police Station, also under the same district.

What the Police Said

A district police officer confirmed that custody would be sought given the gravity and multiplicity of the charges. 'Besides the main case of rape, there are several other charges against Das, and there is a requirement for his sustained interrogation in all these cases. So, a police custody will be sought,' the officer said.

Background: The Complaint and Allegations

The case originates from a complaint filed in September 2026 with the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Canning. The complainant alleged that ahead of the 2023 panchayat elections, Das demanded ₹4 lakh from her husband under the pretext of securing an election ticket. When she visited an old-age home managed by Das to deliver the money, he allegedly extorted the funds, locked her inside, and raped her.

The victim further alleged that when she first approached the Canning Police Station in 2023, officers refused to register an FIR. She and her family were subsequently subjected to harassment, threats, and reportedly a bomb attack on their residence, allegedly carried out by Das and his associates. She stated that the recent political regime change in West Bengal gave her the courage to finally pursue legal action.

Prior Police Action and What Comes Next

Following registration of the case in September, CID investigators questioned Das once. He went missing during the last week of October, prompting police to raid his residence in Canning and arrest four local TMC leaders, even as a manhunt was launched for the absconding lawmaker. Das is noted as one of the few sitting TMC legislators who has maintained allegiance to the faction associated with former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This case adds to growing scrutiny of ruling-party politicians in West Bengal amid a shifting political climate. The outcome of the custody hearing is expected to determine the pace and scope of the investigation going forward.