Krishnanagar, June 9: Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and former state minister Ujjal Biswas was arrested on Tuesday evening following allegations of illegally hoarding government-sanctioned relief materials.
The arrest comes after a volatile confrontation earlier in the day at the former MLA’s Krishnanagar residence-cum-office. Local residents intercepted a truck allegedly being loaded with government supplies—including tarpaulins intended for public distribution—leading to accusations that the aid was being diverted rather than reaching its intended beneficiaries.The situation escalated quickly into violence.
Family members of the former minister have alleged that a group of BJP workers and supporters stormed the property, assaulting Biswas and vandalizing the premises. Witnesses reported that eggs were thrown at the minister, and another family member was reportedly injured during the altercation.
Following the protest, police officials from the Krishnanagar police station intervened to disperse the crowd and apparently rescued Biswas, but later at night, officials confirmed he had been formally arrested on charges of criminal misappropriation and the illegal stockpiling of government supplies. One of his associates has also been detained in connection with the case.
“Based on the complaint, a specific case has been registered at Krishnanagar Police Station, and the former minister has been arrested,” said Sambhav Jain, Additional Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) for the Krishnanagar Police District. “He will be produced before the court on Wednesday as per legal procedure.”
The allegations have been vehemently denied by the minister’s family. Soumyanarayan Khatua, an ophthalmologist and the nephew of the former minister, maintained that the supplies were legitimately received as part of an official MLA quota.
“My uncle received these materials as part of his quota. The remaining items, including tarpaulins, dhotis, sarees, shirts, and leggings, were stored at home,” Khatua stated. According to Khatua, Biswas had recently written to the Nadia District Magistrate and the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Krishnanagar-2 requesting that the authorities collect the surplus materials.
Khatua alleged that the incident occurred when BDO staff and police arrived to collect the stock on Wednesday with a vehicle in which the remaining items were being loaded for return to the administration, claiming that BJP workers accompanying them instigated the attack on the property.
Police investigations are ongoing as authorities prepare to bring the case before the court.