Bangla Paksha founder Garga Chatterjee arrested over EVM remarks in Kolkata
Synopsis
Bangla Paksha founder Garga Chatterjee was arrested by Kolkata Police's cyber cell on 12 May after the Election Commission filed a complaint over his remarks questioning EVM credibility during the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections — an arrest that reignites the charged debate over dissent, electoral integrity, and the boundaries of political speech in Bengal.
Key Takeaways
Garga Chatterjee , founder of Bangla Paksha , arrested on 12 May by Kolkata Police's cyber cell.
Arrest follows a complaint by the Election Commission of India to Kolkata Police's cybercrime department.
Chatterjee allegedly questioned EVM malfunctions during vote counting in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections .
Police claim his remarks violated the model code of conduct (MCC) and cyber law.
He is likely to be produced in court on 13 May ; police may seek custody for questioning.
Garga Chatterjee, founder of Bangla Paksha, was arrested on Tuesday, 12 May by the cyber cell of Kolkata Police for allegedly making provocative comments about electronic voting machines (EVMs) during the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. The arrest follows a formal complaint filed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) with the cybercrime department of Kolkata Police.
The Arrest
Officers from the cyber cell apprehended Chatterjee from the Deshapriya Park area in south Kolkata. A senior Kolkata Police officer confirmed the arrest, stating that Chatterjee is accused of spreading rumours related to EVM credibility during the election period. He is likely to be produced before a court on Wednesday, 13 May, with police expected to seek his custody for further questioning.
What Triggered the Action
According to police, the Election Commission filed a complaint with the cybercrime department, alleging that Chatterjee's remarks were a deliberate attempt to undermine public confidence in the democratic process. Investigators claimed that his comments on EVMs during the elections constituted a violation of the model code of conduct (MCC) and applicable cyber law.
During the counting of votes in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, Chatterjee reportedly questioned alleged EVM malfunctions despite the machines having been sealed the previous night. He had also publicly advised voters to carefully check the VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) slips before pressing the EVM buttons — remarks that authorities characterised as a calculated effort to create confusion in the public mind about the credibility of the voting process.
Chatterjee's Political Background
Chatterjee, a voter of the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, faced protests while casting his own vote during the elections. His party, Bangla Paksha, also alleged that the Election Commission denied permission for a procession ahead of the polls, including a rally planned on the first day of the Bengali month of Baisakh.
Vocal since 2017, Chatterjee has consistently spoken against what he describes as the cultural dominance of the Hindi heartland. During the recently concluded Assembly elections, he reportedly framed the electoral narrative around a
Point of View
While legally available, has rarely been deployed to arrest a political figure for questioning EVM integrity — a concern that cuts across party lines in India. That the cyber cell, rather than the election law enforcement machinery, executed the arrest adds a layer of ambiguity to the legal basis. Whether this is a proportionate response to genuine misinformation or a chilling signal to dissenting voices in Bengal will depend entirely on what evidence police present in court.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Garga Chatterjee arrested?
Garga Chatterjee was arrested on 12 May by Kolkata Police's cyber cell for allegedly making provocative remarks about EVM credibility during the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. The arrest followed a formal complaint filed by the Election Commission of India with the cybercrime department of Kolkata Police.
Who is Garga Chatterjee?
Garga Chatterjee is the founder of Bangla Paksha, a political organisation he has led since 2017. He is known for his vocal opposition to what he describes as the cultural dominance of the Hindi heartland and has framed electoral issues around a Bengali identity narrative.
What did Garga Chatterjee say about EVMs?
During the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, Chatterjee reportedly questioned alleged EVM malfunctions during vote counting, despite the machines having been sealed the previous night. He also advised voters to verify VVPAT slips before pressing EVM buttons — remarks police say violated the model code of conduct and cyber law.
What happens next in the case?
Chatterjee is likely to be produced before a court on 13 May 2025. Kolkata Police are expected to seek his custody for further questioning in connection with the EVM remarks and alleged MCC violations.
What role did the Election Commission play in the arrest?
The Election Commission of India filed a complaint with the cybercrime department of Kolkata Police, alleging that Chatterjee's remarks were a deliberate attempt to undermine public confidence in the democratic process and the credibility of EVMs.
