TMC leader arrested for terrorising locals, fraud ahead of Bengal polls

Kolkata,UPDATED: May 22, 2026 12:17 IST

The crackdown on leaders and workers linked to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) shows no signs of fading after the change in power in West Bengal. This time, another TMC leader has been arrested in connection with allegations of terrorising locals, fraud, and influencing voters ahead of elections.

According to police sources, Sheikh Wasul, president of a TMC labour union unit, had allegedly collected large sums of money from people on false promise of arranging jobs, intimidating locals to establish dominance in the area, and creating an atmosphere of fear.

"I am innocent. I have done party for 15 years and there has been no complaint," he told India Today while being takenaway by the cops.

Sources also claimed that he was accused of trying to influence and pressure voters ahead of the Assembly elections, leading to tension in the locality. Several residents had reportedly approached the police with complaints before the elections. In fact, sources revealed that several complaints had been lodged against him for a long time.

As part of the ongoing action against Trinamool Congress leaders across the state following the political transition in West Bengal, Durgapur-Faridpur police conducted a late-night raid on Thursday and arrested Sheikh Wasul from the Laudoha area under Durgapur-Faridpur Block.

A resident of Rangamati in the Durgapur-Faridpur region, Wasul, was produced before the Durgapur Sub-Divisional Court on Friday morning.

The first major arrest after the Suvendu Adhikari government came to power was the arrest of former West Bengal minister Sujit Bose by the Enforcement Directorate on Monday in connection with the alleged municipal recruitment scam.

According to ED sources, Bose is accused of recommending around 150 candidates for different posts under the South Dum Dum Municipality in exchange for monetary benefits. The agency also alleged that it had traced proceeds of crime in the form of flats that the former minister -- who lost the Bidhannagar seat in the 2026 Assembly polls -- had allegedly acquired for helping several people secure municipal jobs.

Investigators further alleged that large cash deposits were found in bank accounts linked to him. The arrest came hours after Bose appeared before the ED for questioning in the case.

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