Ex-TMC councillor arrested after BJP complaint over alleged voter intimidation in Salt Lake

A former councillor of the All India Trinamool Congress, Nirmal Dutta, has been arrested in Bidhannagar on charges of allegedly intimidating and influencing voters during the ongoing election period. The arrest comes a day after a formal complaint was lodged by a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate, prompting swift police action.

The controversy stems from remarks allegedly made by Dutta during a public meeting in Salt Lake on April 13. In a video that triggered political outrage, he was heard claiming that details such as Aadhaar cards and voter IDs could be used to track voting patterns in the Dattabad area. The statement led to allegations that he was attempting to threaten voters and influence their electoral choices.

Following the incident, BJP candidate Shardwata Mukhopadhyay filed a written complaint with the Bidhannagar Police Commissioner, accusing Dutta of voter intimidation. A parallel complaint was also submitted to the Election Commission, escalating the matter and increasing pressure for immediate action against the former councillor.

Acting on the complaint, police arrested Dutta within 24 hours and produced him before the Bidhannagar court. The court subsequently ordered 10 days of judicial custody. Dutta, whose wife is a sitting councillor from Ward No. 38, has also faced previous allegations related to political violence, adding further attention to the case during the election season.