Naihati ex-MLA Sanat Dey arrested on extortion, land-grab charges in Bengal
Synopsis
Former Trinamool Congress MLA Sanat Dey — who won the Naihati bypoll by over 49,000 votes just last year — was arrested on 8 August on extortion, land-grab, and post-poll violence charges. His arrest is the latest in a string of criminal proceedings against former TMC leaders since the party's heavy defeat in the 2026 Bengal Assembly elections, signalling a sweeping accountability reckoning in North 24 Parganas.
Key Takeaways
Sanat Dey , former Trinamool Congress MLA from Naihati , was arrested on 8 August on charges of extortion, illegal land grabbing, and post-poll violence.
Allegations relate to incidents following both the 2021 Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls .
Dey had won the 2024 Naihati bypoll by more than 49,000 votes but lost the subsequent Assembly election to BJP 's Sumitro Chatterjee by over 10,000 votes .
A prior search at his residence came up empty; his arrest followed sustained law enforcement efforts.
His arrest is part of a broader crackdown on former TMC leaders since the party's defeat in the 2026 Bengal Assembly elections .
Former Trinamool Congress legislator Sanat Dey, who represented the Naihati Assembly constituency in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, was arrested in the early hours of Saturday, 8 August in connection with multiple criminal cases, according to officials. He faces charges of extortion, illegal land grabbing, and alleged involvement in post-poll violence following both the 2021 Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Key Charges and Arrest Details
A police official confirmed that Dey had been accused of extortion and illegal land grabbing in the Naihati area for an extended period. 'Dey, the former Trinamool Congress MLA from Naihati assembly constituency, had been accused of extortion and illegal land-grabbing in the area for a long time. In addition, there were allegations of involvement in post-poll violence against him after the 2021 assembly elections and 2024 Lok Sabha polls,' the official said.
Law enforcement had conducted a search operation at Dey's residence days before the arrest, but he was not found at the time. His eventual arrest on Saturday followed sustained efforts by the investigating agencies. He is set to be produced before a district court, where the public prosecutor is expected to seek police custody.
Political Background of Sanat Dey
Dey entered the West Bengal Assembly through a 2024 by-election after former state minister Partha Bhowmik vacated the Naihati seat upon winning the Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency. In that bypoll, Dey secured victory by a margin of more than 49,000 votes. However, his political fortunes reversed sharply — he lost the Assembly election held earlier this year to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Sumitro Chatterjee by over 10,000 votes.
Public Anger and Local Allegations
Dey faced visible public backlash soon after the change of government in West Bengal this year. In June, eggs were reportedly thrown at him as he made his way to the party office in Naihati. Several local residents accused him of fostering an atmosphere of intimidation in the area, with some claiming he had issued threats even before the Assembly election results were declared.
Broader Crackdown on Former TMC Leaders
Dey's arrest is part of a wider pattern emerging since the Trinamool Congress suffered a heavy defeat in the 2026 Assembly elections. Reportedly, multiple complaints have surfaced against former leaders and activists associated with the previous ruling party. Several ex-public representatives and party functionaries have already been arrested on charges including extortion. With Saturday's arrest, Dey has become the latest former Trinamool leader to face criminal proceedings in the state.
The cases against him underscore growing scrutiny of the political machinery that operated in North 24 Parganas under the previous dispensation, and observers note that more arrests in the region cannot be ruled out as investigations continue.
Point of View
Land grabbing, and post-poll violence spanning two successive election cycles. That suggests systemic impunity, not isolated misconduct. The real question is whether the current administration pursues these cases through to conviction or whether the arrests remain largely symbolic pressure. Bengal's history of political violence and selective prosecution means the credibility of this crackdown will ultimately be judged by its outcomes in court, not by the number of arrests.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was former TMC MLA Sanat Dey arrested?
Sanat Dey was arrested on 8 August on charges of extortion, illegal land grabbing, and alleged involvement in post-poll violence following the 2021 Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He is set to be produced before a district court where police custody will be sought.
Which constituency did Sanat Dey represent?
Dey represented the Naihati Assembly constituency in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district. He entered the Assembly through a 2024 bypoll, winning by more than 49,000 votes, after former minister Partha Bhowmik vacated the seat to take up his Lok Sabha position from Barrackpore.
How did Sanat Dey lose his seat?
Dey lost the West Bengal Assembly election held earlier this year to BJP candidate Sumitro Chatterjee by over 10,000 votes, ending his legislative tenure following the Trinamool Congress's heavy defeat in the 2026 state elections.
Is Dey's arrest part of a wider crackdown?
Yes. Since the Trinamool Congress lost the 2026 Assembly elections, multiple complaints have reportedly surfaced against former party leaders and activists. Several ex-legislators and functionaries have already been arrested on charges including extortion, making Dey the latest in this series.
What public backlash did Sanat Dey face before his arrest?
In June, eggs were reportedly thrown at Dey as he headed to the Trinamool party office in Naihati. Local residents also accused him of creating an atmosphere of intimidation and alleged he had issued threats even before the Assembly election results were declared.
