Bengal: Three arrested in killing of ex-Trinamool MLA's aide in North 24 Parganas
Synopsis
A 30-year-old man who reportedly tried to stop youths from drinking alcohol near his home was beaten with bricks and killed in Garulia, West Bengal. Three people are now in custody, but the case has opened up deeper questions about alleged drug networks operating openly in the area — and whether police inaction enabled the environment that led to the killing.
Key Takeaways
Shekhar Chowdhury alias Bunty , 30 , personal assistant to former TMC MLA Sunil Singh , died late Sunday night, 24 August at a private hospital in Kolkata .
He was assaulted on 19 August in Garulia , North 24 Parganas , allegedly after confronting youths drinking alcohol near his home.
Noapara Police arrested Biki Chowdhury , Aman Chowdhury , and Pintu Chowdhury in connection with the killing.
CCTV footage of the assault has been released and is being examined to identify additional accused.
Locals allege that banned drugs including heroin have been sold openly in Garulia, with police accused of inaction.
State Minister Arjun Singh visited the family; former MLA Sunil Singh condemned the incident and questioned police effectiveness.
Police in West Bengal on Monday, 25 August arrested three persons in connection with the death of Shekhar Chowdhury, alias Bunty, personal assistant to former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Sunil Singh. The 30-year-old was fatally assaulted in Garulia, under the Noapara Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas district, and succumbed to his injuries late Sunday night at a private hospital in Kolkata.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to local sources, the incident began on the night of Wednesday, 19 August, when Bunty allegedly confronted a group of youths drinking alcohol at a club near his home in Garulia. The confrontation escalated into a physical altercation, during which he was reportedly beaten and struck on the head with a brick. He was first admitted to a hospital in Barrackpore in a critical condition; when his condition deteriorated further, he was transferred to a private facility in Kolkata, where he died.
Bunty is survived by his mother, wife, and daughter, all of whom lived with him in Garulia.
CCTV Footage and Arrests
CCTV footage from the night of the assault has been released and shows Bunty being surrounded, beaten, and struck with bricks by several youths. On the basis of this footage and other evidence, the Noapara Police arrested three individuals — Biki Chowdhury, Aman Chowdhury, and Pintu Chowdhury — by Monday morning. Investigators are examining the footage further to determine whether additional accused remain at large.
Drug Angle Under Scrutiny
The arrests have brought renewed attention to alleged drug activity in the area. According to sources, the three accused face several charges, including the alleged sale of banned substances. A section of local residents claimed that narcotics, including heroin, have been sold openly in Garulia for an extended period, and alleged that police had failed to act despite being aware of the situation.
Former Noapara MLA Sunil Singh raised pointed questions about the law-and-order situation, asking: 'There are questions about how heroin is being sold in the area. Why are the police unable to take effective action?' Singh and his son had rushed to the spot on the night of the assault after receiving news of the incident.
Political Response
State Transport and Labour Minister Arjun Singh, who is also the local MLA, visited Bunty's family and assured them of full support. Former MLA Sunil Singh publicly condemned the killing. Tension has reportedly been simmering in Garulia since Monday morning, with the Noapara Police Station continuing to question the arrested individuals as the investigation proceeds.
The case highlights recurring concerns about policing gaps in parts of North 24 Parganas, where local residents and political figures alike have questioned the effectiveness of law enforcement against organised drug networks.
Point of View
Alleged drug trade, and a policing vacuum that residents say has persisted for years. The fact that a political aide was killed after confronting youths in an area where heroin is allegedly sold openly raises uncomfortable questions about who controls the ground in parts of North 24 Parganas. The arrests are a start, but the drug angle — flagged by both locals and the former MLA himself — demands a separate, credible inquiry. Political condemnations from both Arjun Singh and Sunil Singh are notable, but the accountability gap between rhetoric and enforcement is precisely what critics will now scrutinise.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Shekhar Chowdhury alias Bunty?
Shekhar Chowdhury, known as Bunty, was a 30-year-old resident of Garulia in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, who served as the personal assistant to former Trinamool Congress MLA Sunil Singh. He is survived by his mother, wife, and daughter.
Why was Bunty allegedly attacked?
According to local sources, Bunty was attacked after he confronted a group of youths who were drinking alcohol at a club near his home in Garulia on the night of 19 August. The confrontation reportedly turned violent, and he was beaten and struck on the head with a brick.
Who has been arrested in connection with the killing?
The Noapara Police have arrested three individuals — Biki Chowdhury, Aman Chowdhury, and Pintu Chowdhury — in connection with the killing. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage to determine whether others were involved.
What is the drug angle in the Garulia case?
Local residents allege that banned substances, including heroin, have been sold openly in Garulia for a long time. The three arrested individuals reportedly face charges related to the sale of banned drugs in addition to the assault. Former MLA Sunil Singh has publicly questioned why police have not taken effective action against the alleged drug network.
What action have political leaders taken?
State Transport and Labour Minister Arjun Singh, the local MLA, visited Bunty's family and pledged support. Former MLA Sunil Singh condemned the killing and publicly questioned police inaction on drug sales in the area. The Noapara Police have confirmed that questioning of the arrested individuals is ongoing.
