Firhad Hakim faces arrest demand over 'provocative' remarks at Sandeshkhali
Synopsis
A BJP worker has filed a fresh complaint demanding the arrest of former Bengal minister Firhad Hakim over remarks made at a Sandeshkhali TMC event and a government function in 2024 — complaints that were allegedly turned away by police at the time. The move is the latest in a string of legal actions against senior TMC figures since the state government changed hands.
Key Takeaways
Sanjay Payra , a BJP worker, filed a complaint against former minister Firhad Hakim at Bidhannagar South Police Station on 10 June .
Hakim allegedly called women 'property' at a TMC event in Sandeshkhali on 7 November 2024 and made sarcastic remarks about PM Modi .
A second allegation cites religiously provocative remarks at a government function on 3 July 2024 .
Payra claims both earlier complaints were refused by police under the previous government.
Complaints against other senior TMC leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee , have also reportedly been filed since the change of government.
Police have not yet confirmed whether an FIR has been registered or arrests are planned.
Former West Bengal minister Firhad Hakim is facing fresh legal trouble after a complaint was filed against him at Bidhannagar South Police Station in Kolkata's Salt Lake area on Wednesday, 10 June, alleging that he made obscene and disrespectful remarks about women and delivered religiously provocative statements at public events. The complainant, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker Sanjay Payra, has demanded Hakim's immediate arrest.
What the Complaint Alleges
According to Payra, Hakim — who was then serving as Municipal Minister — made derogatory remarks referring to women as 'property' at an All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) gathering in Sandeshkhali on 7 November 2024. The same event allegedly saw Hakim make sarcastic remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Payra stated that video evidence of the incident exists.
A second set of allegations pertains to a government function on 3 July 2024, where Hakim allegedly made remarks that Payra described as religiously provocative. 'He was the municipal minister at that time. We came to this police station then, but they did not register a complaint. I have filed a complaint today regarding this. I demand his arrest for religious division and provocative remarks,' Payra said.
Earlier Complaints Allegedly Turned Away
Payra claimed that attempts to file complaints on both occasions — in November 2024 and July 2024 — were rejected by the police at the time. He attributed the earlier refusals to political influence, alleging that the then-ruling party's hold over law enforcement prevented the complaints from being registered. The fresh filings follow a change of government in the state.
Post-Government Change: A Pattern of Complaints Against TMC Leaders
The complaint against Hakim is part of a broader wave of allegations surfacing against TMC leaders since the change of government in West Bengal. Several TMC figures have already been arrested, and a separate complaint has reportedly been filed against TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Critics argue the pattern reflects political score-settling, while supporters of the new administration maintain the police are now operating without partisan interference.
Notably, Hakim is a senior TMC figure and long-serving former minister — his targeting signals that the legal pressure on the party's leadership is intensifying. It remains to be seen what action Bidhannagar South Police Station takes on the freshly registered complaint.
What Happens Next
The police have not yet confirmed whether an FIR has been formally registered or whether any action is imminent. Legal observers note that the complaints cite specific dates, locations, and the existence of video evidence, which could compel investigators to act. The development is likely to add to the political pressure on the TMC as it navigates its changed position in the state.
Point of View
Raising legitimate questions about institutional neutrality. Hakim's case is not isolated: it fits a post-transition pattern of legal pressure on the outgoing party's senior figures, a cycle that has repeated across states from Uttar Pradesh to Andhra Pradesh. Whether the police act swiftly or cautiously will itself be read as a political signal. The existence of alleged video evidence, however, narrows the room for procedural delay.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the complaint filed against Firhad Hakim?
A BJP worker named Sanjay Payra filed a complaint at Bidhannagar South Police Station in Kolkata on 10 June, alleging that former minister Firhad Hakim made derogatory remarks referring to women as 'property' at a TMC event in Sandeshkhali on 7 November 2024, and delivered religiously provocative remarks at a government function on 3 July 2024.
Why were the complaints not filed earlier?
The complainant, Sanjay Payra, alleges that police refused to register the complaints on both occasions in 2024, attributing the refusals to political influence under the then-ruling TMC government. He filed fresh complaints following the change of government in West Bengal.
Has Firhad Hakim been arrested?
As of 10 June, no arrest has been reported. Police have not publicly confirmed whether an FIR has been formally registered. The next steps by Bidhannagar South Police Station are awaited.
Who else among TMC leaders is facing complaints after the change of government?
Reports indicate that a complaint has also been filed against TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Several other TMC figures have reportedly been arrested since the new government took charge in West Bengal.
What evidence has the complainant cited?
Sanjay Payra stated that video footage exists of Hakim's remarks at the Sandeshkhali TMC meeting on 7 November 2024. He cited this as the basis for the fresh complaint after earlier attempts to file were allegedly turned away.
