Trinamool Congress MLA Paresh Ram Das was arrested at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata on Monday in connection with an alleged rape case, police said.
The legislator from Canning Paschim Assembly constituency was apprehended by a special team of Baruipur Police District while allegedly attempting to travel to Mumbai to evade investigation.
According to police, Das had been evading investigators for some time before officers received information about his planned departure from Kolkata.
Acting on the intelligence, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Baruipur Police District, under the supervision of senior officers, coordinated with Bidhannagar Police to intercept him at the airport.
The arrest was made in connection with a case registered at Canning Police Station on September 5, 2026.
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According to a statement issued by Baruipur Police District, the case was registered under Sections 376, 323, 420, 120B and 506 of the Indian Penal Code.
The provisions relate to rape, voluntarily causing hurt, cheating, criminal conspiracy and criminal intimidation, respectively.
Police said Das had been wanted for questioning in connection with the allegations and was apprehended after investigators tracked his movements.
A police officer said the MLA had remained untraceable for a considerable period before the special team located him at the airport.
Following his arrest, Das was taken to Baruipur in South 24 Parganas district for questioning and further legal proceedings.
He is scheduled to be produced before a competent court on Tuesday, November 10, after completion of the necessary formalities.
Investigators are expected to seek his custodial interrogation to examine the allegations and establish the circumstances surrounding the case.
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Apart from the alleged rape case, Das has faced allegations relating to extortion and political violence, including incidents connected with previous elections in West Bengal.
In May, the Calcutta High Court granted him interim protection from coercive action in connection with six FIRs registered at Canning Police Station.
Five of those cases concerned alleged incidents dating back to 2021, while another related to an incident reported in April 2026.
The court had permitted the investigation to continue and directed Das to cooperate with investigators. The interim protection was granted until June 30 or further orders.
Separately, the Criminal Investigation Department had summoned the legislator in September in connection with alleged violence during the 2023 panchayat elections.
That investigation, initiated following a Calcutta High Court order, concerned allegations of firing and attempted murder during the electoral process.
Das had appeared before investigators but was subsequently hospitalised after reportedly complaining of chest pain and breathing difficulties during questioning.
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The arrest has also triggered a political controversy involving rival factions of the Trinamool Congress.
MAITC leader Kunal Ghosh questioned the timing of the police action, alleging that investigators had remained inactive while Das was associated with the rival Ritabrata Banerjee faction.
Ghosh claimed that the police began pursuing the legislator after he expressed his intention to support Mamata Banerjee.
He alleged that the arrest was part of an attempt to pressure legislators amid the ongoing political differences between the factions.
However, leaders associated with the rival camp rejected the allegation of political targeting.
Arup Roy, associated with the Ritabrata Banerjee faction, defended the police action, suggesting that investigators may have obtained evidence warranting the arrest.
The competing claims have added a political dimension to the criminal investigation, although police have maintained that the arrest was made in connection with registered cases.
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Police said the MLA would be questioned regarding the allegations and the circumstances surrounding his attempted departure from Kolkata.
Investigators are also examining evidence collected in connection with the registered case.
The authorities have not announced any findings establishing the MLA's guilt, and the allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.
Further developments are expected when Das is produced before the court on Tuesday.