Sheikh Saifuddin arrested in Bengal BJP worker murder case, 11th accused held
Synopsis
The prime accused in the murder of BJP worker Prashant Dey was arrested within 12 hours of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's personal intervention — but 40 of 51 named accused remain at large, keeping pressure on the Bengal police and CID to deliver on the CM's public promise of justice.
Key Takeaways
Sheikh Saifuddin , prime accused in BJP worker Prashant Dey's murder, was arrested on 28 June in Howrah, West Bengal .
This is the 11th arrest in the case; 40 of 51 accused named in the FIR remain at large.
The attack occurred on 17 June in Bagnan ; CID took over the investigation on 21 June on CM Adhikari's orders.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the family and announced a total compensation of ₹9 lakh (₹4 lakh from the district administration + ₹5 lakh from the CM's Fund).
The deceased's elder daughter is to receive a contract-based job at the local BDO office .
Saifuddin was produced before a Howrah district court, with the public prosecutor seeking CID custody.
Sheikh Saifuddin, the prime accused in the murder of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker Prashant Dey from Bagnan in Howrah district, was arrested on Sunday, 28 June — within 12 hours of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari publicly committing to strong action in the case. The arrest marks the 11th in the ongoing murder investigation, conducted by a joint team of the Howrah District Police and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the state police.
Key Developments in the Case
The CID took over the investigation on 21 June, following a direct instruction from Chief Minister Adhikari. A total of 51 people were named as accused in the First Information Report (FIR) registered in connection with the killing. With 11 arrests made so far, 40 accused persons remain at large, according to police.
Sheikh Saifuddin was produced before a district court in Howrah later on Sunday, with the public prosecutor seeking his CID custody for further interrogation.
CM Adhikari's Visit to Bagnan
On Saturday evening, Chief Minister Adhikari visited the residence of the slain BJP worker in Bagnan, where he met Prashant Dey's family members and announced compensation as well as a commitment to deliver justice. He subsequently proceeded to the Bagnan police station, where he held a detailed discussion with police officers and CID officials, pressing for the swift arrest of the remaining accused.
'No one would be spared in Prashant's case,' Adhikari said, adding that investigators would have to 'dig deep' if necessary to trace the remaining accused.
The Attack and Its Aftermath
According to Chief Minister Adhikari, the attack took place on 17 June, when several people were assaulted with deadly weapons, leaving many injured. Some victims are still undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kolkata, where surgeries were performed, under the special supervision of the state government. Prashant Dey succumbed to his injuries and could not be saved, the CM acknowledged.
Compensation and Relief Measures
The Howrah District Magistrate's Office had already disbursed a compensation of ₹4 lakh to the family. On Saturday, CM Adhikari announced an additional ₹5 lakh from the Chief Minister's Fund. He also announced that Prashant Dey's elder daughter would be provided a contract-based job at the Block Development Officer (BDO) office.
With 40 accused still missing, investigators are under pressure to execute further arrests swiftly as political scrutiny over law and order in West Bengal intensifies.
Point of View
But the bigger story is what remains undone: 40 of 51 accused are still missing weeks after the attack. The CID takeover on 21 June — well after the 17 June incident — raises questions about how swiftly the state machinery moved before political pressure mounted. Compensation and a job for the family are meaningful gestures, but they do not substitute for a completed investigation. The case is fast becoming a test of whether the Bengal administration can deliver convictions, not just arrests.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sheikh Saifuddin and why was he arrested?
Sheikh Saifuddin is the prime accused in the murder of BJP worker Prashant Dey, who was killed in a deadly weapons attack in Bagnan, Howrah district, on 17 June. He was arrested on 28 June by a joint team of Howrah District Police and the CID, making him the 11th person held in the case.
How many accused have been arrested so far in the Prashant Dey murder case?
As of 28 June, 11 of the 51 people named as accused in the FIR have been arrested. The remaining 40 accused are still at large, and police are under CM Adhikari's directive to trace them urgently.
What action did Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari take in this case?
CM Adhikari visited Prashant Dey's family in Bagnan on Saturday evening, announced ₹5 lakh from the Chief Minister's Fund on top of ₹4 lakh already given by the district administration, and promised a government job for the deceased's elder daughter. He also met with police and CID officials at Bagnan police station, demanding the arrest of all remaining accused.
When did the attack on Prashant Dey take place?
The attack occurred on 17 June, when several people were assaulted with deadly weapons in Bagnan. Multiple victims sustained injuries, some of whom are still receiving treatment in Kolkata. Prashant Dey succumbed to his injuries.
Which agencies are investigating the Prashant Dey murder case?
The case is being jointly investigated by the Howrah District Police and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the West Bengal state police. The CID took over the investigation on 21 June following a directive from Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
