6 arrested after Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee attacked in Sonarpur, Bengal
Synopsis
A sitting TMC MP was pelted with eggs and brick fragments during a condolence visit in Sonarpur — and six locals are now in custody. The attack on Abhishek Banerjee, nephew of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, raises pointed questions about VIP security in West Bengal and the deepening street-level political tensions in the state.
Key Takeaways
Six people arrested after TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee was attacked in Sonarpur, South 24 Parganas on Saturday .
Protesters threw eggs and brick fragments and raised 'thief' slogans ; some attempted to physically assault him.
Arrests made by Sonarpur police station following an overnight search operation using video footage .
Banerjee was assessed at two private hospitals in Kolkata; doctors determined hospitalisation was not required.
Mamata Banerjee was present at the hospital and criticised the BJP government over the incident.
Police are interrogating the arrested to identify further suspects; patrols continue in the area.
Six people have been arrested in connection with the attack and harassment of All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee in Sonarpur, South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, police confirmed on Sunday, 1 June 2025. The arrests followed an overnight search operation by the Sonarpur police station, with identifications made using video footage from the scene.
What Happened in Sonarpur
Banerjee had travelled to Sonarpur on Saturday to visit the family of a deceased Trinamool worker when he was met with public outrage. Protesters threw eggs and brick fragments at him and raised 'thief' slogans. Some individuals in the crowd reportedly attempted to punch him even as his security personnel worked to shield him. The incident drew immediate attention to the adequacy of his police protection.
How the Arrests Were Made
The Sonarpur police station launched a search operation overnight following the attack. According to police, the six arrested individuals are locals who were identified from video footage of the incident. Investigators are now interrogating the arrested persons to determine whether others were involved. 'The search operation was carried out at night. Till Sunday morning, six people have been arrested. Investigation is on,' police said.
Banerjee's Medical Assessment
After leaving Sonarpur under police escort, Banerjee was taken to a private hospital along EM Bypass in Kolkata. Doctors there assessed him and determined hospitalisation was not required. He was subsequently taken to a second private hospital near Minto Park, where physicians reached the same conclusion. Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is Abhishek's aunt, was present with him at the hospital.
Mamata Banerjee's Response
Mamata Banerjee directed sharp criticism at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the aftermath. 'For now, the treatment will be at home. Whatever saline and oxygen are needed will be given at home. If necessary, Abhishek will be taken to Hyderabad for treatment,' she said. The TMC leadership has framed the attack as politically motivated, though investigators have not yet publicly confirmed a motive. Police forces continue to patrol the Sonarpur area as the probe expands.
Broader Context
The attack on a sitting MP during what was ostensibly a condolence visit underscores the volatile political climate in West Bengal, where street-level tensions between the TMC and its opponents have repeatedly escalated into physical confrontations. This is among the more high-profile incidents involving a senior TMC figure in recent months, and is likely to intensify demands for a review of VIP security protocols in the state.
Point of View
Driven by video evidence, is notable; what remains unanswered is why adequate security was not in place before the incident. Mamata Banerjee's pivot to attacking the BJP government risks deflecting scrutiny from the state's own policing failures. The deeper story is a TMC that is increasingly facing public anger on its home turf — and the leadership's response, framing every attack as externally orchestrated, may not hold indefinitely.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Abhishek Banerjee and why was he in Sonarpur?
Abhishek Banerjee is a Trinamool Congress MP and the nephew of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He had travelled to Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas on Saturday to visit the family of a deceased Trinamool Congress worker when the attack occurred.
How many people were arrested and how were they identified?
Six people have been arrested as of Sunday morning. Police identified them using video footage of the attack, and all six are described as locals who were present at the scene during the incident.
Was Abhishek Banerjee hospitalised after the attack?
No. Banerjee was taken to two private hospitals in Kolkata — one along EM Bypass and another near Minto Park — but doctors at both facilities determined that hospitalisation was not required. Mamata Banerjee was present with him.
What did Mamata Banerjee say about the attack?
Mamata Banerjee criticised the BJP government and said treatment would be administered at home, adding that Abhishek would be taken to Hyderabad for treatment if necessary.
Is the investigation still ongoing?
Yes. Police are interrogating the six arrested individuals to determine whether others were involved. The Sonarpur police station continues to patrol the area, and the investigation remains active.
