Annapurna Yojana document tampering: 3 arrested in Purulia, Bengal
Synopsis
A Trinamool Congress leader and Purulia Zilla Parishad vice-chairman is among three people arrested for allegedly breaking into a block office at night to tamper with Annapurna Yojana beneficiary records — a case that has sharpened the BJP-Trinamool political battle over welfare scheme integrity in West Bengal.
Key Takeaways
Sujoy Banerjee , vice-chairman of Purulia Zilla Parishad and a Trinamool Congress leader, was arrested along with two others on charges of tampering with Annapurna Yojana documents.
The alleged tampering occurred on the night of 7 July at the Puncha block office in Purulia district, West Bengal .
An earlier set of four arrests on 8 July was followed by bail on 9 July , prompting the BJP to file a second complaint.
The BJP alleged that eligible beneficiaries' names were being removed from the welfare scheme list.
Trinamool's Nibedita Mahato said she was unaware of the incident and would investigate.
The three re-arrested accused were to be produced in court on Sunday, 13 July 2025 .
Three individuals, including Sujoy Banerjee, vice-chairman of the Purulia Zilla Parishad and a Trinamool Congress leader, have been arrested in Purulia, West Bengal, on charges of tampering with documents related to the Annapurna Yojana social welfare scheme, police confirmed on Sunday, 13 July 2025. The arrests followed a complaint by the local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership after the accused were allegedly caught inside a block office late at night.
What Allegedly Happened
According to the BJP's account, on the night of 7 July, Kripasindhu Banerjee, vice-president of Puncha Panchayat Samiti, and Charanpahari Das, its executive director, entered the block office in the Puncha block area of Purulia district by unlocking the premises after hours. The BJP alleged they tampered with welfare scheme records stored on a laptop, purportedly on the instructions of Sujoy Banerjee.
Local BJP leaders say they received a tip-off and reached the block office to find the accused inside, catching them in the act. A formal complaint was lodged at the local police station the following day, 8 July.
Initial Arrests and Bail
Acting on the first complaint, Purulia district police arrested four individuals on 8 July — Kripasindhu Banerjee, Charanpahari Das, and two block office employees. However, a court granted them bail on 9 July. The BJP subsequently filed a second complaint, which led to the fresh wave of arrests.
Second Round of Arrests
On Saturday night, police arrested Sujoy Banerjee and Kripasindhu Banerjee from their homes in Lakhra village, while Charanpahari Das was taken into custody from Parui village. Notably, Sujoy Banerjee had contested the 2026 Assembly election from the Purulia constituency as a Trinamool Congress candidate.
What the BJP Alleged
BJP District Vice-President Janapriya Ghosh told reporters, 'We had information that they had been engaging in illegal activities under the cover of darkness for quite some time. Local residents caught them red-handed. We suspect they were attempting to remove the names of eligible beneficiaries from the Annapurna Yojana list.'
The BJP further alleged that tampering was not limited to the Annapurna Yojana but extended to documents of other state government welfare schemes as well.
Trinamool's Response and Next Steps
Trinamool Congress leader and Purulia Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati Nibedita Mahato said, 'I am unaware of the matter; I have just heard about it. I will look into the circumstances behind this incident.' A district police official confirmed that the three arrested individuals would be produced before a court on Sunday.
The case has added to the political friction between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal ahead of continued scrutiny of state welfare scheme administration. Whether the investigation will widen to probe systemic document manipulation remains to be seen.
Point of View
Staffed by local political appointees, remains the weakest link between scheme design and beneficiary delivery. Allegations of after-hours document manipulation — if proven — would represent not petty corruption but a targeted effort to disenfranchise welfare recipients for political gain. The speed with which bail was granted after the first arrests, only for the accused to be re-arrested on a second complaint, also raises questions about how seriously the initial FIR was treated. Bengal's welfare delivery has been a persistent flashpoint between the BJP and Trinamool; this case will test whether the state's judicial and administrative machinery can act independently of that rivalry.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been arrested in the Purulia Annapurna Yojana tampering case?
Three individuals have been arrested: Sujoy Banerjee, vice-chairman of Purulia Zilla Parishad and a Trinamool Congress leader; Kripasindhu Banerjee, vice-president of Puncha Panchayat Samiti; and Charanpahari Das, its executive director. All three were arrested on Saturday night from their respective villages.
What is the Annapurna Yojana scheme?
Annapurna Yojana is a state-run social welfare scheme in West Bengal designed to provide food security benefits to eligible residents. The BJP has alleged that beneficiaries' names were being removed from the scheme's records through unauthorised document tampering.
When and where did the alleged tampering take place?
The alleged tampering occurred on the night of 7 July at the Puncha block office in Purulia district, West Bengal. BJP leaders claim the accused entered the locked premises after hours and manipulated welfare scheme records stored on a laptop.
Why were the accused released after the first arrest?
Four individuals, including Kripasindhu Banerjee and Charanpahari Das, were arrested on 8 July following the initial BJP complaint but were granted bail by a court on 9 July. The BJP then filed a second complaint, leading to the re-arrest of three of them on Saturday night.
What has the Trinamool Congress said about the arrests?
Trinamool Congress leader and Purulia Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati Nibedita Mahato said she was unaware of the matter and would look into the circumstances. No formal party statement had been issued at the time of reporting.
