Coochbehar, 22 July (H.S.): The police have arrested Abhijit De Bhowmik, former Trinamool Congress president of Cooch Behar Block-II, in connection with an alleged job fraud case. He was apprehended near Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri while returning from Mamata Banerjee's July 21 programme and was taken into custody by Cooch Behar Kotwali Police.

According to the police, De Bhowmik is accused of collecting money from a Cooch Behar resident on the promise of securing a government job. Apart from the cheating case, he is also facing multiple criminal cases, including one related to the 2025 attack on the convoy of then Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.

Police sources said several attempts had earlier been made to arrest him, including raids at his residence, but he had allegedly remained absconding. He is also facing allegations of involvement in election-related violence and making provocative remarks.

The 2025 convoy attack took place in Khagrabari, Cooch Behar, where Suvendu Adhikari's bulletproof vehicle was allegedly attacked by a mob. The incident triggered major political unrest, and seven people were arrested from the spot. The BJP had alleged that the attack was pre-planned and had named several TMC leaders, including Abhijit De Bhowmik.

Following the incident, Adhikari had claimed that the attack was a conspiracy to assassinate him and alleged the involvement of then North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha. He had also alleged links to Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingya elements.

After the change of government in West Bengal, police intensified action in the case. Udayan Guha has already been arrested in another case, and De Bhowmik's arrest is being viewed as part of the ongoing crackdown.

The police are taking De Bhowmik to Cooch Behar, where he will be produced before a court and police custody is expected to be sought for further investigation.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey