Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) chief and Nowda MLA Humayun Kabir appeared before Murshidabad district police in West Bengal on Monday, 21 September for questioning linked to a controversial audio clip that has been circulating on social media. Kabir reached Berhampore police station ahead of the stipulated 11 am deadline set by police, who had issued the summons on Saturday.

Kabir's Statements Outside the Police Station

Before entering the station, Kabir addressed reporters on multiple issues, saying he would cooperate fully with the investigation while simultaneously expressing anger over what he described as politically motivated action. He revived an earlier allegation that his son-in-law had been framed, and accused three specific police officers of being behind the framing. 'Those officers had to face reprimands in court. Now they have summoned me,' Kabir said.

He further alleged that the officers in question were 'appeasing' the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and warned: 'The administration is arresting my party's people arbitrarily. They can arrest me too if they want.'

Fear of Arrest Ahead of Rejinagar By-Election

Kabir voiced apprehension that he could be detained ahead of the Rejinagar Assembly by-election scheduled for 6 October. The former Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader has also approached the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that AJUP workers are being arrested in quick succession in the run-up to the by-poll. The AJUP was founded by Kabir after his departure from TMC.

The Audio Clip Case

An audio recording of an alleged phone conversation involving Kabir surfaced recently and was widely shared on social media. It has been alleged that he made provocative remarks during the conversation. Following a formal complaint, a case was registered against him under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The authenticity of the audio has not been independently verified. Berhampore police visited Kabir's residence on Saturday afternoon as part of the investigation.

Multiple AJUP Leaders Arrested

Between Saturday night and Sunday morning, police from Rejinagar and Shaktipur police stations arrested Manjur Rahman (alias Lebu), Haque Mallick, and Abdul Alim — all AJUP functionaries. Mohammad Nasim Sheikh, described as a close associate of Kabir, was also arrested from Miyagram in Shaktipur. One more person was arrested on Monday. Manjur Rahman's wife is a member of the Beldanga-II Panchayat Samiti; Haque Mallick serves as AJUP's Rejinagar block vice-president; and Abdul Alim heads the Dadpur region unit of the party.

With the Rejinagar by-election weeks away, the sequence of arrests and Kabir's appearance before police is set to intensify scrutiny over whether law enforcement action in Murshidabad is being influenced by electoral considerations.