Kolkata, 24 October (H.S.): A middle-aged man was arrested in Bandel, Hooghly district, on charges of making derogatory and offensive remarks against Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari during a Facebook Live broadcast.

The accused, identified as Kartik Banik—locally known as Babu—is a resident of Hemanta Basu Colony in Bandel. According to neighbors, Banik had a history of making disparaging comments and using foul language against the Chief Minister during casual neighborhood gatherings and at local tea stalls. However, residents expressed shock that he escalated the behavior by broadcasting the offensive remarks on a Facebook Live session.

The arrest followed a formal complaint lodged at the Chinsurah police station by Shashwata Bandyopadhyay, the IT cell leader of the BJP's Hooghly organizational district. Acting on the complaint regarding the defamatory social media video, the police took Banik into custody.

Reacting to the incident, BJP’s organizational district president Gautam Chattopadhyay strongly condemned the accused's actions. In just five months as Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari has accomplished significant developmental work and is receiving immense blessings from the people. Most of those who used to work for the TMC now have nothing to do, as their party has practically ceased to exist. Hurling abuses at the Chief Minister has become their only occupation. I urge the police and administration to ensure such individuals face strict legal consequences, Chattopadhyay stated.

While local sources indicated that the arrested man had previously supported the Trinamool Congress (TMC), they were unsure if he was an active party worker. Following his arrest, the accused expressed regret over the incident, claiming that he made the broadcast under the influence of alcohol and denying any formal affiliation with any political party.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh