Absconding BDO held in Bengal gold trader murder case after drunk-driving incident
Synopsis
A former West Bengal BDO accused of abducting and killing a gold merchant — and who defied both Calcutta High Court and Supreme Court surrender orders — was finally caught not by a planned police operation, but because a late-night drunk-driving incident drew a crowd and tipped off local cops.
Key Takeaways
Prashant Barman , former BDO of Raiganj Block , arrested in New Town, Kolkata in the early hours of Monday, 26 May .
Barman was accused of abducting and murdering gold merchant Swapan Kamilya , whose body was found at Salt Lake's Dattabad on 29 October 2024 .
Arrest was incidental — triggered by a drunk-driving altercation that drew bystanders and Ecopark Police Station officers.
Barman had defied surrender orders from both the Calcutta High Court (deadline: 22 December 2025 ) and the Supreme Court (deadline: 23 January 2026 ).
He was reportedly a close associate of leaders in the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) .
Barman is expected to be produced before a lower court shortly.
Former Block Development Officer (BDO) of Raiganj Block, North Dinajpur, Prashant Barman — long absconding in connection with the abduction and murder of gold merchant Swapan Kamilya at Salt Lake's Dattabad in Kolkata — was finally arrested in the early hours of Monday in New Town, on the northern outskirts of the city. His arrest came not through a planned operation, but through a chance drunk-driving incident that drew a crowd and alerted local police.
How the Arrest Unfolded
According to Bidhannagar City Police, Barman was driving in an allegedly intoxicated state late at night when his vehicle struck a two-wheeler rider in New Town. Instead of stopping, Barman reportedly began abusing the rider and local residents who gathered at the scene. A bystander filmed the altercation and circulated the video on social media — though the authenticity of the footage could not be independently verified.
Officers from the local Ecopark Police Station arrived, detained Barman, and subsequently placed him under formal arrest. He is likely to be produced before a lower court shortly.
The Murder Case Background
On 29 October 2024, the body of gold merchant Swapan Kamilya was recovered from near a canal at Dattabad, Salt Lake. Barman was accused of abducting and killing Kamilya. He had reportedly been a close associate of leaders within the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), the party that had previously held power in the state.
Following the murder, Barman managed to secure an anticipatory bail from a sub-divisional court. The Bidhannagar City Police challenged the order before the Calcutta High Court, which subsequently rejected the anticipatory bail and directed Barman to surrender by 22 December 2025.
Supreme Court Order Defied
When Barman failed to comply, the Bidhannagar Court issued a formal arrest warrant. He then approached the Supreme Court, where a bench comprising Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Vijay Bishnoi ordered him to surrender by 23 January 2026. Barman defied that order as well and remained a fugitive for months thereafter.
What Happens Next
With Barman now in custody, investigators are expected to formally question him regarding the circumstances of Kamilya's abduction and death. The case, which had drawn attention partly due to Barman's alleged political connections, will now proceed through the courts. His eventual production before a magistrate is expected to set the timeline for further legal proceedings.
Point of View
High Court rejection, Supreme Court order — and remained at large for months. That he was ultimately caught by accident, not by a coordinated fugitive operation, raises questions about the seriousness with which the warrant was being pursued. The political dimension — his reported proximity to TMC leadership — adds a layer that courts and investigators will need to address transparently if this case is to be seen as one where connections offered no shield.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Prashant Barman and why was he arrested?
Prashant Barman is a former Block Development Officer of Raiganj Block in North Dinajpur, West Bengal. He was arrested on 26 May in New Town, Kolkata, in connection with the alleged abduction and murder of gold merchant Swapan Kamilya at Salt Lake's Dattabad in October 2024.
How was the absconding BDO caught?
Barman was not caught through a planned police operation. He was detained after allegedly driving drunk and hitting a two-wheeler rider in New Town, which drew a crowd and eventually brought Ecopark Police Station officers to the scene.
What court orders had Barman defied before his arrest?
Barman had defied a Calcutta High Court order to surrender by 22 December 2025 and a subsequent Supreme Court order — issued by a bench of Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Vijay Bishnoi — to surrender by 23 January 2026. A formal arrest warrant had been issued against him.
What is the Swapan Kamilya murder case?
Gold merchant Swapan Kamilya's body was recovered from near a canal at Dattabad, Salt Lake, on 29 October 2024. Barman was accused of abducting and killing him. The case drew attention due to Barman's reported ties to leaders in the Trinamool Congress.
What happens next in the case?
Barman is expected to be produced before a lower court shortly. Investigators are likely to formally question him about the abduction and murder, with further legal proceedings to follow based on the magistrate's orders.
