Kolkata, 17 September (H.S.): The Lokpal has dismissed all corruption allegations against Bankura MP Arup Chakraborty, who left the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to join the NCPI following the declaration of the 2026 assembly election results. The decision came after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which was probing the matter, reported that there was insufficient evidence to support the claims against him.

It was alleged that the MP, along with his brother Ashish Chakraborty, was involved in various illegal activities, including extortion and intimidating local residents with the help of local workers and officials. The complainant had claimed that he illegally transferred a government fishery project in his area and had been collecting Rs 50 lakh per month from a lake in his constituency since 2016. Based on these allegations, a CBI inquiry was ordered on November 10. The central investigating agency submitted its report on August 28 after thoroughly examining more than 45 documents and recording the statements of six witnesses.

On September 10, a six-member Lokpal bench headed by Chairperson Justice A.M. Khanwilkar disposed of the matter by dismissing the charges against the MP. The bench noted that the preliminary inquiry report meticulously analyzed all relevant evidence and concluded that the six allegations against him could not be proven. Furthermore, the Lokpal stated that no further action is required since the alleged incidents took place when he was an MLA and not an MP, placing the matter outside its jurisdiction.

Welcoming the decision, Arup Chakraborty stated that the Lokpal's order has made it clear that the allegations against him were completely baseless and malicious.

In a similar development, the Lokpal also dismissed allegations against DMK MP Kalanidhi Veeraswamy from the Chennai North constituency in Tamil Nadu. The serious charges of fraud and intimidation against him were declared entirely baseless, and that case was also disposed of.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh