Prime accused in Bengal BJP worker’s murder held, arrest count now 11

3 min readKolkataUpdated: Jun 28, 2026 07:16 PM IST

CM Suvendu Adhikari had announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for murder victim Prashanta Dey’s family. (File Photo)

In a joint operation, the Howrah district police and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Sunday arrested the prime accused in the Bagnan BJP worker Prasanta Dey murder case.

The arrest of the prime accused, identified as Sheikh Saifuddin, came a day after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the dead BJP worker’s residence and promised that strong action would be taken. Saifuddin is the eleventh person to be arrested in the murder case.

Dey was the vice-president of BJP’s Booth 197 under Bagnan Mondal 5 in Howrah district, and was allegedly beaten to death in Santoshpur area of Bagnan in Howrah district on June 17. His family alleged that Dey was grievously assaulted and later succumbed to injuries in hospital. He was declared brought dead at Bagnan Rural Hospital, while three other BJP workers sustained critical injuries and were shifted to a nursing home for treatment.

The killing triggered a political storm, with the BJP alleging that the attack was politically motivated.

The CID took over the investigation on June 21 following the chief minister’s instruction. A total of 51 people were named as accused in the FIR registered in the matter, of which 40 are still absconding.

Saifuddin will be produced before a district court in Howrah later in the day, and the public prosecutor will seek his CID custody.

On Saturday, the chief minister had announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for Prasanta Dey’s family, over and above the Rs 4 lakh already provided by the district administration, and a contractual government job for the elder daughter of the victim in the BDO office. Adhikari also directed the district magistrate to immediately sanction old-age pension for Dey’s elderly parents.

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After the meeting with the chief minister, Dey’s son told mediapersons that the family had demanded capital punishment for those responsible for his father’s murder.

“Our family urged the chief minister to ensure that the accused are hanged. He assured us that the police are investigating the case and those involved will be brought to justice,” he said.

Adhikari had promised the family that the government follows a ‘zero tolerance’ policy against political violence, while assuring strict action against the perpetrators.

Tanusree Bose is a dedicated journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Kolkata. Her work focuses sharply on the complex administrative, political, and judicial developments across West Bengal, establishing her as an authoritative voice in regional news coverage.

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Suvendu Adhikari

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