NIA arrests Trinamool councillor in 2023 Ram Navami case; case filed against ex-MP wife
Synopsis
The NIA's arrest of Trinamool councillor Shakir Ali in the 2023 Ram Navami violence case has drawn his wife — former two-time TMC MP Aparupa Poddar — into direct legal jeopardy. A suo motu case for obstructing officials on duty now puts one of Hooghly's most prominent political families at the centre of both a criminal investigation and a law-and-order flashpoint.
Key Takeaways
The NIA arrested Shakir Ali , Trinamool Congress councillor of Ward No.
4, Rishra Municipality , on 30 June in the 2023 Ram Navami violence case.
A suo motu case was registered against his wife, former two-time TMC MP Aparupa Poddar , at Serampore police station for allegedly obstructing officials on duty.
The Ram Navami violence in Rishra, Hooghly on 2 April 2023 left several people injured; the case was subsequently transferred from state police to the NIA .
Aparupa was asked to appear at the police station on Wednesday, 1 July ; she has not publicly responded to the allegations.
Her only statement at the scene was: 'I have full faith in God and the judiciary.'
Police in West Bengal on Tuesday, 30 June registered a suo motu case against Aparupa Poddar, a two-time former Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament, for allegedly obstructing government officials on duty during the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrest of her husband. The case was filed at Serampore police station in Hooghly district after an altercation on the road outside her residence.
The Arrest
Shakir Ali, a Trinamool Congress councillor of Ward No. 4 of Rishra Municipality in Hooghly district, was taken into custody by the NIA on Tuesday in connection with the 2023 Ram Navami violence case. The NIA raid on the couple's residence lasted approximately four and a half hours before Ali was escorted away by NIA officials and central forces.
What Led to the Case Against Aparupa Poddar
As NIA and central forces were escorting Shakir Ali out of the premises in a vehicle, Aparupa Poddar got into an argument with a female police officer on the road. According to reports, Aparupa pushed the officer's hand away and said, 'I don't need police protection. I don't need it. I don't want police protection.' The altercation was brief before she moved on. Police subsequently asked her to appear at the police station on Wednesday, 1 July.
It remains unclear, however, whether the suo motu case was registered solely on account of this roadside incident or also in connection with other alleged conduct during the prolonged NIA raid. Aparupa has not responded to queries on this point.
Background: The 2023 Ram Navami Violence
On 2 April 2023, communal unrest broke out during a Ram Navami procession in Rishra, Hooghly district. Several people were injured in the violence and vandalism that followed. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dilip Ghosh had joined the procession from Bangur Park in Rishra on that day and was subsequently escorted to safety by police and central security personnel. The area remained tense for several days thereafter. The case was later transferred from the state police to the NIA, which has now, three years on, made its first arrest in the matter.
Aparupa's Response at the Scene
Aparupa Poddar, a two-time former TMC MP from Arambagh in Hooghly district, did not publicly comment on her husband's arrest. She was, however, seen managing the crowd gathered outside her home and attempting to calm supporters. When her son stepped forward to address the media about his father's detention, Aparupa reportedly shielded his face and guided him back inside, bypassing waiting journalists. Her only public statement was: 'I have full faith in God and the judiciary.' She is reported to have lost her composure shortly after making that remark. Police have summoned her to appear at Serampore police station on Wednesday.
What Happens Next
The NIA is expected to seek Shakir Ali's remand for further questioning in the 2023 Ram Navami violence case. Aparupa Poddar faces charges of misbehaving with and obstructing government officials on duty. Her response to the police summons on Wednesday will be closely watched, given her political profile and the sensitivity of the underlying NIA investigation.
Point of View
Where Centre-state friction over law and order has been a persistent fault line. The suo motu case against Aparupa Poddar is notable: registering it the same evening — before she even responded to a summons — suggests the police were not merely reacting to a roadside scuffle but sending a message about the limits of political insulation. What mainstream coverage may underplay is the timeline: a three-year gap between the violence and the arrest raises legitimate questions about the pace and political timing of NIA action, questions that the agency has not addressed publicly.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Shakir Ali arrested by the NIA?
Shakir Ali, a Trinamool Congress councillor of Ward No. 4 of Rishra Municipality in Hooghly district, was arrested by the NIA on 30 June in connection with the 2023 Ram Navami violence in Rishra. He was accused of creating unrest during the Ram Navami procession on 2 April 2023, in which several people were injured.
What is the case registered against Aparupa Poddar?
Police registered a suo motu case against former two-time TMC MP Aparupa Poddar at Serampore police station on 30 June for allegedly misbehaving with and obstructing government officials on duty during her husband's arrest. She has been asked to appear at the police station on Wednesday, 1 July.
What happened during the 2023 Ram Navami violence in Rishra?
On 2 April 2023, communal unrest broke out during a Ram Navami procession in Rishra, Hooghly district, leaving several people injured amid fighting and vandalism. BJP leader Dilip Ghosh, who had joined the procession, was escorted to safety by police. The case was subsequently transferred from state police to the NIA.
Who is Aparupa Poddar?
Aparupa Poddar is a two-time former Member of Parliament from the Arambagh constituency in Hooghly district, West Bengal, representing the Trinamool Congress. Her husband, Shakir Ali, is the TMC councillor of Ward No. 4 of Rishra Municipality.
What happens next in the NIA case?
The NIA is expected to seek remand for Shakir Ali for further questioning. Aparupa Poddar has been summoned to Serampore police station on Wednesday, 1 July, in connection with the obstruction case. The outcome of her appearance will determine whether formal charges are pursued against her.
