Relief supplies, firearm & ammunition seized from Kultali TMC leader’s house; arrested

Police have arrested Trinamool Congress leader Kartik Sardar after recovering a large quantity of relief materials, a firearm and ammunition during a search operation at his residence in the Jalaberia Gram Panchayat area of Kultali in South 24 Parganas. Authorities also allegedly recovered stacks of application forms related to government welfare schemes and a suspected fake police uniform during the operation.

According to police, the search was conducted as part of an ongoing investigation, leading to the seizure of the relief materials and weapon-related items. Following the recovery, Kartik Sardar was taken into custody and is being questioned regarding the source of the seized materials and the circumstances under which they were stored at his residence.

Local residents alleged that relief supplies sent to the area after disasters such as Cyclone Aila and Cyclone Amphan did not reach many intended beneficiaries. They claimed that trucks carrying relief materials regularly arrived in the area, but much of the stock was allegedly stored in facilities linked to the accused. Residents further alleged that requests for tarpaulins, food supplies and other assistance were often turned down despite relief shipments reaching the locality.

Residents also alleged that relief materials were distributed primarily among relatives, associates and supporters of the accused while many affected families remained without assistance. Sources claimed that Kartik Sardar is related to Rupa Sardar, president of the Kultali Panchayat Samiti, and allegedly exercised significant influence in the area. Police said the investigation is continuing to determine whether other individuals were connected to the recovered firearm, ammunition, suspected fake police uniform and relief materials.