NIA arrests TMC councillor Shakir Ali in 2023 Ram Navami violence case
Synopsis
The NIA, backed by CRPF, walked into a sitting TMC councillor's home in Rishra on Tuesday and walked out with him in custody — the latest federal pressure point on West Bengal's ruling party. Shakir Ali's arrest over 2023 Ram Navami violence marks a significant escalation, coming as his wife, former two-time MP Aparupa Poddar, remains a figure of internal TMC friction.
Key Takeaways
The NIA , accompanied by CRPF personnel, arrested TMC councillor Shakir Ali from his Rishra residence on Tuesday .
The arrest relates to communal violence during a Ram Navami procession in Rishra, Hooghly district , in 2023 .
Shakir Ali is the husband of former two-time TMC MP Aparupa Poddar , who was denied a ticket for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections .
The BJP had alleged the violence was instigated at Ali's behest; the NIA took over the case from local police.
In a separate arrest the same day, Serampore police detained Sudarshan Bar , a panchayat member linked to TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee , on multiple charges.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday arrested Shakir Ali, a Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillor and husband of former party MP Aparupa Poddar, in connection with communal violence during a Ram Navami procession in Rishra, Hooghly district, in 2023, according to officials. The NIA team, accompanied by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, conducted a raid at Ali's residence in Rishra before detaining him.
Background of the Case
A case was registered over a disturbance that erupted during the Ram Navami procession in Rishra in 2023. The matter was subsequently transferred to the NIA for investigation. Shakir Ali represents Ward No. 4 of the Rishra Municipality as a TMC councillor and has been a long-serving party functionary.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had earlier alleged that the violence was instigated at the behest of Councillor Ali, though the charges against him in the NIA case were not independently detailed by officials at the time of the arrest.
Scene at the Residence
A crowd gathered outside Ali's home following the arrival of NIA officials on Tuesday. Ali was present at the residence when the team arrived. Shortly after the raid, officials confirmed his arrest, according to reports.
Who Is Shakir Ali
Shakir Ali is the husband of Aparupa Poddar, a two-time TMC MP who was denied a party ticket for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Poddar had publicly expressed her dissatisfaction, reportedly stating she was overlooked because she did not possess a large sum of money. She nonetheless declared her intent to remain with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as an ordinary party worker.
Second Arrest in Hooghly on the Same Day
In a separate development, Serampore police on Tuesday arrested Sudarshan Bar, described as an influential member of the Piyarapur Gram Panchayat and a close associate of Serampore TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee. Champdani BJP MLA Dilip Singh alleged that Bar faces multiple charges, including assaulting party workers, forcible land seizure, panchayat-level corruption, and extortion linked to factory construction along National Highway 19. Bar was set to be produced before the Serampore court later on Tuesday.
What Happens Next
The NIA's move against a sitting TMC councillor is expected to intensify political tensions in West Bengal ahead of upcoming local body cycles. The agency is likely to seek custody to question Ali further about the 2023 Rishra violence. The TMC is yet to issue an official statement on the arrest.
Point of View
Aparupa Poddar, is already a symbol of internal TMC dissent after being publicly sidelined for the 2024 Lok Sabha ticket. The BJP's prior allegations about Ali's role in the 2023 Ram Navami violence now carry institutional weight through the NIA charge. Whether the agency's case holds in court is a separate question — but the optics of a CRPF-backed federal raid on a TMC councillor's home will reverberate well beyond Hooghly district.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Shakir Ali arrested by the NIA?
Shakir Ali was arrested by the NIA in connection with communal violence that broke out during a Ram Navami procession in Rishra, Hooghly district, in 2023. The case was initially registered locally and later transferred to the NIA for investigation.
What is Aparupa Poddar's connection to the case?
Aparupa Poddar is not named in the NIA case; she is the wife of the arrested councillor Shakir Ali. She had publicly expressed dissatisfaction after being denied a TMC ticket for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but stated she would remain a party worker.
Who else was arrested in Hooghly on the same day?
Serampore police separately arrested Sudarshan Bar, an influential member of the Piyarapur Gram Panchayat and a reported associate of TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, on charges including land seizure, corruption, and extortion linked to National Highway 19.
What happens next in the NIA case against Shakir Ali?
The NIA is expected to seek custody of Shakir Ali for further questioning regarding the 2023 Rishra Ram Navami violence. The agency has not yet publicly detailed the specific charges framed against him.
