Kolkata Police arrest man for circulating obscene videos of Bengal BJP leaders
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The cyber crime wing of Kolkata Police has arrested Rajesh Chakraborty, a resident of New Town, on charges of allegedly orchestrating the circulation of obscene and defamatory videos targeting West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on social media. A case was registered at the cyber police station on 21 May, following a complaint lodged by BJP leader Priyanka Tibrewal.
The Arrest and Court Remand
Chakraborty was produced before a court on Monday, which ordered him remanded in police custody until 27 May. Investigators allege that the videos — described as containing extremely vulgar, defamatory, and obscene content — were circulated on Chakraborty's instructions. According to police, the accused did not respond to the first notice issued during the investigation, and while he appeared after a second notice, he allegedly failed to cooperate and deleted relevant WhatsApp chats. He was also reportedly unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for certain financial transactions.
How the Videos Were Made and Spread
During the investigation, police established that the video was initially uploaded by a person named Partha Nag from his Facebook profile, which he later deleted. Upon interrogation, Nag reportedly claimed he had created and uploaded the video in 2023 at Chakraborty's instigation. In return, Chakraborty allegedly paid Nag ₹2,000 on multiple occasions, according to investigators.
Who Was Targeted
The videos allegedly contained obscene and defamatory comments about Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, and several female BJP leaders in West Bengal. The complaint was filed by Priyanka Tibrewal, a senior BJP leader in the state.
Broader Conspiracy Under Probe
Investigators are now probing whether a larger conspiracy lies behind the incident, including the total amount of money spent and whether additional individuals were involved. According to police, the inquiry is ongoing. Notably, the videos were reportedly circulated a few years ago, with the 2023 upload by Nag identified as the initial trigger point. This case reflects a broader pattern of politically motivated cyber crime complaints that have intensified in West Bengal ahead of electoral cycles.
What Happens Next
Chakraborty remains in police custody until 27 May, and further arrests cannot be ruled out as investigators trace the financial trail and identify potential co-conspirators. The outcome of the probe could shed light on whether this was an isolated act or part of an organised effort to target BJP leadership in the state.