Two Trinamool leaders arrested in Babla Sarkar murder case; Crime linked to land dispute

Narendra Nath Tiwari, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) president of Malda town, and fellow party leader Swapna Sharma have been arrested in connection with the murder of Dulal Sarkar, a prominent TMC leader in the region. The arrests followed 22 hours of intense police interrogation. As of now, the total number of arrests in the case stands at seven.

Dulal Sarkar, a key figure in Malda’s political and business landscape, was involved in land acquisition, contract work for the railways, and the trucking business. With the rapid increase in land prices due to urban development, there were growing tensions over land ownership and the control of business ventures in the area. Sarkar had a significant influence over several projects, including shopping malls, and his connections to lucrative business dealings have made him a central figure in the investigation.

Police have indicated that the murder was linked to a dispute over land possession, with various political and business interests at stake. Sources suggest that Tiwari and Sharma were involved in these conflicts, with both leaders reportedly vying for control over local land deals and associated business interests. The investigation is focused on determining whether these professional rivalries escalated into the deadly confrontation.

The investigation also includes examining the wider political and financial context surrounding the murder. Local leaders and figures associated with business operations in the area are being questioned. Police are looking into potential corruption linked to these business ventures and whether the dispute was influenced by the increasing value of land in Malda. Additionally, the roles of other local TMC leaders involved in similar dealings are under investigation.

Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury, the Chairman of Englishbazar Municipality, previously confirmed that Tiwari had expressed threats against Sarkar. Chowdhury stated that after the recent municipal elections, Tiwari had openly declared his intention to eliminate Sarkar, which police are considering a significant lead in the investigation. Authorities are continuing to piece together evidence to understand the full scope of events leading to Sarkar’s murder.