Abhishek Banerjee FIR: Trinamool alleges BJP political vendetta in West Bengal
Synopsis
Days after the West Bengal Assembly polls, Bidhannagar Police filed an FIR against TMC General Secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee for allegedly inciting violence and threatening Home Minister Amit Shah. The Trinamool has fired back, calling it BJP political vendetta — and the identity of the complainant, who himself faces women trafficking allegations, adds a sharp edge to an already combustible post-election standoff.
Key Takeaways
Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police Station registered an FIR against Abhishek Banerjee , TMC General Secretary and Diamond Harbour MP, under six sections .
The complaint was filed by Rajiv Sarkar at Baguiati police station on 5 May , alleging Banerjee's campaign language could have triggered violence.
TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty called the FIR 'completely atrocious' and alleged it was BJP-driven political vendetta after the party came to power in West Bengal .
Chakraborty questioned why no action was taken against Amit Shah over his alleged pre-poll remarks threatening TMC workers.
Complainant Rajiv Sarkar himself faces allegations of involvement in women trafficking, which he has denied as politically motivated.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Saturday, 16 May alleged political vendetta by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police Station registered an FIR against party General Secretary and Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee, reportedly for inciting violence and threatening Union Home Minister Amit Shah ahead of the recently-concluded West Bengal Assembly polls. The case was filed on the complaint of Rajiv Sarkar, a self-described social activist who himself faces allegations of involvement in women trafficking — allegations he has denied as politically motivated.
How the FIR Was Filed
According to police, Rajiv Sarkar lodged a complaint at the Baguiati police station on 5 May. Acting on that complaint, the Bidhannagar Police registered an FIR under six sections against Abhishek Banerjee. Speaking to reporters, Sarkar claimed that the language Banerjee used during campaigning 'could have created anarchy' had the Trinamool Congress returned to power, adding that 'there could have been attacks on the common people.' He insisted his complaint was not politically motivated.
What Trinamool Congress Said
TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty described the FIR as 'completely atrocious' and drew a pointed contrast with the absence of any action against Amit Shah. 'We do not see any complaint lodged against the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah when he incited violence during his pre-poll campaigns when he threatened Trinamool Congress workers and said they would be 'hanged upside down after election results' were declared. We don't see any suo motu action by the police on this issue,' Chakraborty said. He added: 'It was expected that the BJP would engage in political vendetta against our leaders after forming the government. It was just a matter of time. But the law should be the same for everyone. It cannot be used to favour only the BJP.'
Who Is the Complainant
Rajiv Sarkar is described as a social activist who had previously filed complaints against bars and entertainment establishments in the Baguiati area. However, separate allegations of involvement in women trafficking have been levelled against him. Sarkar has denied these, asserting that anyone who fights for social change must contend with such counter-allegations.
Broader Political Context
The FIR comes in the immediate aftermath of the West Bengal Assembly elections, in which the BJP reportedly emerged as the ruling party. This is the first high-profile complaint filed against a senior TMC leader since the poll results, and opposition figures are framing it as the opening salvo in a pattern of post-election political pressure. Notably, the TMC has not yet confirmed whether Banerjee will respond formally to the FIR or seek legal relief. How the state police — now operating under a changed political dispensation — handles the case will be closely watched as a signal of institutional conduct in the new government's early weeks.
Point of View
Which could undermine the prosecution's standing. The TMC's counter-charge — that Amit Shah's pre-poll remarks went uninvestigated — raises a legitimate question about selective enforcement that the new state government will need to answer. If the police machinery is seen as an instrument of political settling of scores rather than impartial law enforcement, it sets a damaging precedent for West Bengal's institutional health in this new political chapter.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FIR filed against Abhishek Banerjee about?
The FIR, registered by Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police Station , accuses Abhishek Banerjee of inciting violence and threatening Union Home Minister Amit Shah during campaign speeches ahead of the West Bengal Assembly polls . It was filed under six sections based on a complaint by Rajiv Sarkar dated 5 May .
Why is Trinamool Congress calling the FIR political vendetta?
The TMC alleges the case is BJP-motivated retaliation following the party's rise to power in West Bengal. Spokesperson Arup Chakraborty argued that no action was taken against Amit Shah for allegedly threatening TMC workers during his pre-poll campaigns, making the selective targeting of Banerjee appear politically driven.
Who is Rajiv Sarkar, the complainant in the Abhishek Banerjee FIR?
Rajiv Sarkar is described as a social activist who had previously complained about bars in the Baguiati area. He faces separate allegations of involvement in women trafficking, which he has denied, claiming they are politically motivated counter-allegations against his activism.
Under how many sections was the Abhishek Banerjee FIR registered?
The Bidhannagar Police registered the FIR under a total of six sections , acting on the complaint filed at Baguiati police station on 5 May .
What happens next in the Abhishek Banerjee FIR case?
The case is at the preliminary FIR stage. The TMC has not yet confirmed whether Banerjee will seek legal relief. How the West Bengal Police — now operating under the new BJP government — proceeds will be a key indicator of institutional conduct in the state's post-election political environment.
