Former TMC MLA grilled in relief material case; faces 'Chor' slogans

Former TMC MLA Ramendu Singharay was interrogated in Hooghly over alleged theft of govt relief materials and Arms Act violations. Detained in Karnataka and brought back, he was jeered by a crowd. He allegedly threatened BJP supporters with a gun.

Former Trinamool Congress MLA Ramendu Singharay was taken to Tarakeshwar on Monday under tight security for further interrogation in connection with a case involving alleged transportation of government relief materials and offences under the Arms Act.

Earlier, Ramendu Singharay was brought to Dhaniakhali Police Station in West Bengal's Hooghly district on Sunday (June 22) after being detained in Karnataka in connection with a case involving the alleged transportation of government relief materials and offences under the Arms Act. As Singharay arrived at the police station on transit remand, a crowd gathered outside the premises and raised slogans of "Chor-Chor". Some individuals also allegedly hurled eggs in his direction.

Police Account of the Incident

According to Hooghly Rural Superintendent of Police Kunwar Bhushan Singh, the case relates to an incident that allegedly took place on the evening of June 11 within the jurisdiction of Dhaniakhali Police Station. "On the evening of June 11, around 7 pm, taking advantage of load shedding, Ramendu Singharay, former MLA from Tarakeswar Assembly Constituency, and his associates were transporting some government relief materials on a motor van from Vivekananda Teachers Training College in Kotalpur under Dhaniakhali Police Station limits. At that time, some local BJP supporters detained them and raised strong objections. During this time, Ramendu Singharay threatened the BJP supporters by showing his small arms and managed to escape from there," the Superintendent of Police said.

Relief Materials Recovered

Police later conducted searches at the college premises and recovered relief materials from the property, officials said. "Later, conducting searches led by OC of Dhaniyakhali PS Gouranga Dey in the above college and tarpaulins, dustbins, blankets, etc., relief materials in huge numbers could be recovered from two store rooms of the college," the SP added.

Case Registered and Arrest

Based on the incident, a case was registered at Dhaniakhali Police Station on June 12 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act against Singharay and others. "Over this incident, a specific case was registered at Dhaniakhali PS vide Case No. 188/26 Dt. 12.06.2026 u/s 316(5)/303(2)/352/61(2)/3(5) BNS and 25/27 Arms Act against Ramendu Sinharay and others," he said.

Police said a team from Hooghly district traced and detained Singharay and one of his associates from Belgaon in Karnataka on Sunday morning. After obtaining transit remand from a local court in Karnataka, the accused were brought to Dhaniakhali Police Station later on Sunday evening.

The former MLA is being questioned as part of an ongoing investigation; a further probe is underway.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)