Suvendu Adhikari faces 25 criminal cases, affidavit shows spike after joining BJP

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Suvendu Adhikari has declared 25 criminal cases against him in his latest election affidavit, marking a sharp increase from just one case reported in 2021. The affidavit, submitted ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026, indicates that most of these cases were registered after he left the Trinamool Congress in 2020 and joined the BJP.

The affidavit also highlights changes in his financial profile over the past five years. Adhikari’s annual income has more than doubled, rising from ₹8,13,170 in 2020–21 to ₹17,38,590 in 2024–25. However, his overall assets have declined during the same period. His movable assets dropped from ₹59.31 lakh in 2021 to ₹24.57 lakh in 2026, while immovable assets decreased from ₹61.30 lakh to ₹46.21 lakh.

Adhikari, who is contesting from Nandigram and Bhabanipur, filed his nomination for the Nandigram seat, where polling is scheduled in the first phase. He had defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from the same constituency in the 2021 Assembly elections. In 2026, he is also contesting from Bhabanipur, setting up a high-profile electoral contest.

The cases listed against him include charges such as criminal intimidation, attempt to murder, promoting enmity between groups, and violations under various legal provisions. Despite the increase in cases, the affidavit states that he has not been convicted in any of them. Legal developments in recent years include court interventions that quashed several cases and modified earlier protections regarding the filing of new cases.

The rise in the number of cases has triggered political reactions, with the BJP alleging that the cases are politically motivated, while the Trinamool Congress maintains that the figures reflect associations and actions. As the elections approach, Adhikari’s legal and political profile is expected to remain a key point of debate in the campaign.