Trinamool MLA Paresh Ram Das arrested at Kolkata airport
The Canning Paschim legislator was apprehended while attempting to board a flight to Mumbai regarding a 2023 rape and extortion complaint.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Paresh Ram Das was arrested at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata on Monday, according to reports by The Pioneer, The Hindu and ANI. A Special Operations Group (SOG) from the Baruipur Police District intercepted Das just before he could board a flight to Mumbai.
The arrest relates to a case registered at Canning police station involving allegations of rape and extortion prior to the 2023 panchayat elections. Police stated that Das had been untraceable for 17 days and was intercepted using intelligence regarding his travel plans with help from the Bidhannagar Police.
Das told reporters outside the airport that he did not know the specific charges against him or the reason for his arrest. He claimed he was being taken away after being made to sign a document.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh questioned the timing of the arrest, alleging that police were inactive while Das was associated with the Ritabrata Banerjee camp but acted after he sought to return to Mamata Banerjee's camp. Arup Roy, chairperson of the Ritabrata camp, said the police must have found evidence to justify the arrest.
The MLA is being taken to the Baruipur police headquarters for questioning. He is scheduled to appear before a court on Tuesday, November 10.