Police complaint against Trinamool MLA Priya Paul for hiding husband's assets in poll affidavit
Synopsis
A BJP activist has filed a police complaint against TMC's Priya Paul — who just won re-election from Sankrail by over 16,000 votes — alleging she hid crores in property registered in her husband's and daughter's names from her 2026 election affidavit. The complaint puts a spotlight on asset disclosure norms and raises questions about wealth accumulation during her first term as MLA.
Key Takeaways
A police complaint was filed at Sankrail Police Station, Howrah against TMC MLA Priya Paul on 29 June .
Complainant Sanjit Jana , a local BJP activist, alleges Paul concealed assets held in the names of her husband Amit Paul and daughter in her 2026 West Bengal election affidavit .
Paul allegedly accumulated 'crores of rupees' in property since first being elected from Sankrail in 2021 , according to the complaint.
Paul won re-election in 2026 , defeating BJP's Barnali Dhali by over 16,000 votes .
Neither Paul nor the TMC — including either of its two current factions — had responded to the allegations at the time of reporting.
Police have reportedly assured the complainant of a proper investigation.
A police complaint has been filed at Sankrail Police Station in Howrah district against Priya Paul, the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA from Sankrail Assembly constituency, alleging that she concealed assets and properties registered in the name of her husband in her election affidavit for the 2026 West Bengal assembly polls. The complaint was lodged on 29 June by a local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activist.
What the Complaint Alleges
The complainant, Sanjit Jana, a BJP activist, has alleged that since Priya Paul was first elected from Sankrail in 2021, she accumulated substantial wealth through alleged unfair means, including extortion, and acquired significant property in the names of her husband, Amit Paul, and her daughter. According to the complaint, none of these assets were disclosed in her election affidavit filed for the recently concluded 2026 West Bengal assembly elections.
'The current MLA from Sankrail had accumulated crores of rupees of property in the last five years, exercising political and administrative influence as the MLA for the previous ruling party. But the MLA and her husband came from a humble financial background. They did not own many assets before she became a legislator of the previous ruling party. The movable and immovable properties of her family increased exponentially during the last five years. But all these were not mentioned in her last election affidavit. Hence, I have filed a police complaint against her on this count. The police have assured me a proper investigation into the matter,' Jana said.
Poll Result and Political Context
Priya Paul retained the Sankrail seat in the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections, defeating the BJP's Barnali Dhali by a margin of over 16,000 votes. The complaint, filed shortly after the election results, raises questions about asset disclosure norms under the Election Commission of India (ECI)'s mandatory affidavit rules, which require candidates to declare all known assets, including those held by immediate family members.
Notably, allegations of disproportionate asset accumulation by legislators are not uncommon in West Bengal's political landscape, but formal police complaints of this nature — filed immediately after an election result — carry added significance given the scrutiny they invite on the winner's financial disclosures.
No Response from the Accused or TMC
At the time of reporting, neither Priya Paul nor any member of her family had responded to the allegations. The complaint has also drawn no official reaction from either of the two factions currently within the TMC — one retaining allegiance to party chief Mamata Banerjee, and the other aligned with expelled TMC legislator Ritabrata Banerjee.
What Happens Next
The Sankrail Police Station has reportedly assured the complainant of a proper investigation. If the allegations are substantiated, the matter could be referred to election authorities or courts for further action. Legal experts note that concealment of assets in an election affidavit can invite criminal proceedings under the Representation of the People Act as well as provisions of the Indian Penal Code related to false declarations.
Point of View
And a post-result complaint, however legitimate, raises the question of why scrutiny arrives only after the ballot is cast. The internal TMC split adds another layer: neither faction has spoken, which itself signals the political calculus at play. If police investigation proceeds and evidence of concealment is found, the case could become a test of whether West Bengal's law enforcement acts independently of its ruling establishment.
NationPress
29 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the police complaint against TMC MLA Priya Paul about?
A complaint filed at Sankrail Police Station, Howrah, alleges that TMC MLA Priya Paul concealed assets and properties registered in the names of her husband, Amit Paul, and daughter in her election affidavit for the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections. The complaint was filed by BJP activist Sanjit Jana, who also alleges she accumulated the wealth through alleged unfair means during her first term as MLA since 2021.
Who filed the complaint against Priya Paul?
The complaint was filed by Sanjit Jana, a local BJP activist, at Sankrail Police Station in Howrah district. Jana alleged that Paul's family wealth grew 'exponentially' during her legislative tenure but was not declared in her 2026 election affidavit.
Did Priya Paul win the 2026 West Bengal election?
Yes. Priya Paul retained the Sankrail Assembly seat in the 2026 West Bengal elections, defeating BJP candidate Barnali Dhali by a margin of over 16,000 votes.
What are the legal consequences of concealing assets in an election affidavit?
Concealment of assets in a mandatory election affidavit can attract criminal proceedings under the Representation of the People Act and provisions related to false declarations. If substantiated, the matter may be referred to election authorities or courts for further action.
Has Priya Paul or the TMC responded to the allegations?
No. At the time of reporting, neither Priya Paul nor any member of her family had responded to the complaint. Neither faction of the TMC — those loyal to party chief Mamata Banerjee nor those aligned with expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee — had issued any statement.
