Kolkata court erupts: Scuffle between lawyers, protesters at Deepak Byapari hearing
Synopsis
A YouTuber’s court appearance in Kolkata spiralled into a brawl between protesters and lawyers, but the real story runs deeper: the NIA has arrested Deepak Byapari not just over political remarks but over a suspected link to a Pakistan-connected espionage network tied to a Kolkata man whose wife and child are Pakistani nationals.
Key Takeaways
A scuffle broke out at Bankshall Court, Kolkata on 1 October 2026 when protesters threw eggs as YouTuber Deepak Byapari was produced before the court.
Protesters allegedly assaulted two lawyers who objected; police had to intervene to restore order.
Byapari faces two separate cases: one over alleged insulting remarks against West Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari , and another involving alleged anti-national activities.
The NIA arrested Byapari in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu at 4:30 pm on Monday after a prolonged search.
The NIA suspects Byapari may have links to an alleged Pakistan espionage network involving Kolkata resident Zafar Riaz , who was arrested in May 2026 ; Riaz’s wife and child are Pakistani nationals.
An alleged espionage case against Byapari is also under investigation by the NIA.
A scuffle broke out between protesters and lawyers at the Bankshall Court in Kolkata on Thursday, 1 October 2026, after arrested YouTuber Deepak Byapari was produced before the court in connection with a case of allegedly insulting remarks against West Bengal Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. The confrontation quickly escalated into a melee, requiring police intervention to restore order.
How the Violence Unfolded
According to reports, as soon as Deepak Byapari appeared on the court premises, a section of protesters began raising slogans. Eggs were allegedly thrown at the accused, prompting a group of lawyers to object. Despite those objections, the egg-throwing reportedly continued, triggering a confrontation between the two groups.
The situation deteriorated rapidly. Protesters allegedly assaulted two lawyers who had voiced their objections, after which the scene turned chaotic. A group of lawyers reportedly chased and apprehended one of the protesters. Police personnel were eventually forced to intervene and bring the situation under control.
Why Byapari Was Produced Before the Court
Two separate complaints have been filed against Deepak Byapari. The first relates to his alleged social media remarks deemed insulting to Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. It was in connection with this case that he was produced before the Bankshall Court on Thursday.
The second, and more serious, set of allegations involves charges of anti-national activities. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Byapari in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, at around 4:30 pm on Monday, after the central agency had reportedly been looking for him for an extended period. According to the NIA, there is also a case of alleged espionage linked to him.
The Alleged Pakistan Espionage Link
This is the context that elevates the Byapari case beyond a local political dispute. In May 2026, the NIA had arrested a Kolkata resident identified as Zafar Riaz on charges of espionage and alleged anti-India activities for Pakistan. The NIA noted that Riaz’s wife is a Pakistani national and their child also holds Pakistani citizenship. A lookout notice had already been issued against Riaz at the time of his arrest.
Investigators now suspect that Deepak Byapari may have had a clandestine connection with this alleged network, and the agency is reportedly expanding its probe on that basis. Byapari is known for making sharp, often controversial commentary on political and social issues through his Facebook and YouTube platforms, activities that allegedly drew the attention of central intelligence agencies over time.
What Happens Next
With two parallel legal proceedings now in motion — one at the state level over the remarks against Adhikari, and another at the central level over alleged anti-national activities — Byapari faces a complex legal battle. The NIA’s investigation into the alleged espionage network is continuing, and further developments in the case are expected as the agency expands its inquiry.
Point of View
But the more consequential story is the NIA’s claim of a nexus between a popular Bengali YouTuber and a Pakistan-linked espionage network. If that connection is substantiated, it raises uncomfortable questions about how intelligence agencies track social media influencers and whether the threshold for invoking anti-national provisions is being applied consistently. The parallel state-level case — over remarks against an opposition leader — sits uneasily alongside the far graver federal charges, and critics may argue that the two proceedings conflate political grievance with national security. West Bengal’s already fraught Centre-state relations add another layer to a case that is unlikely to stay confined to the courts.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Deepak Byapari arrested?
Deepak Byapari was arrested on two separate grounds: first, for allegedly making insulting remarks on social media about West Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari; and second, by the NIA over allegations of involvement in anti-national activities and a suspected link to a Pakistan espionage network. The NIA arrested him in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on Monday.
What happened at Bankshall Court in Kolkata on 1 October?
When Byapari was produced before the Bankshall Court, protesters raised slogans and allegedly threw eggs at him. Lawyers objected, a physical altercation followed, and two lawyers were reportedly assaulted before police intervened to restore order.
What is the Pakistan espionage link in the Deepak Byapari case?
The NIA suspects that Byapari may have had a secret connection with an alleged espionage network linked to Pakistan. The suspicion arises from the earlier arrest in May 2026 of Kolkata resident Zafar Riaz, charged with anti-India activities for Pakistan; Riaz’s wife is a Pakistani national and their child holds Pakistani citizenship. The NIA is expanding its investigation on this basis.
Who is Suvendu Adhikari and why does he feature in this case?
Suvendu Adhikari is the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader. One of the two complaints against Byapari alleges that he made insulting remarks about Adhikari on social media — the charge for which Byapari was produced before the Bankshall Court on Thursday.
What happens next in the Deepak Byapari case?
Two parallel legal processes are now under way: a state-level case over the alleged remarks against Adhikari, and a central NIA investigation into alleged anti-national activities and espionage links. The NIA is continuing to expand its probe, and further court proceedings are expected in both matters.
