After 5-year hunt, CBI nabs key accused in 2021 murder of WB BJP leader

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday arrested a key accused in the murder of West Bengal BJP leader Abhijit Sarkar, who was killed during post-poll violence in 2021. The accused, identified as Arup Das alias Bapi Das, was taken into custody from Guwahati, Assam, officials said.

Mr. Das had been absconding since August 25, 2021, when the case was registered. He never appeared before the investigating agency despite multiple summons. The CBI had announced a reward of ₹50,000 for any information leading to his capture.

The arrest was made based on human intelligence and technical inputs, according to a CBI spokesperson. The agency had been under pressure to expedite the probe after the Calcutta High Court directed a court-monitored investigation into the post-poll violence, which claimed several lives across West Bengal in 2021.

Abhijit Sarkar was killed in the Kankurgachi area of Kolkata on May 2, 2021, shortly after the results of the West Bengal assembly elections were declared. His murder was among the many instances of violence that erupted in the state following the election outcome.

The CBI took over the case on the directions of the Calcutta High Court on August 19, 2021. Later, the agency filed charge sheets against 38 accused, including Arup Das and the then Trinamool Congress MLA Paresh Pal, along with other party leaders. The charge sheet details the roles of the accused in the conspiracy and execution of the murder.

With the arrest of Mr. Das, the CBI has now claimed to have traced all the main accused in the case. However, the trial remains ongoing, and the agency is expected to produce him before a designated court in Kolkata soon.

Legal experts note that the arrest is a significant step toward ensuring accountability for the violence that marred the 2021 assembly elections. The Calcutta High Court had earlier expressed dissatisfaction with the state police's handling of post-poll violence cases, leading to the transfer of several cases to the CBI.

The murder of Abhijit Sarkar had sparked widespread outrage, with his family and political allies demanding a fair investigation. The CBI's action on Thursday is being seen as a positive development in the long-pending quest for justice.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether Mr. Das will be produced in court in Assam or brought to West Bengal for further proceedings. The agency is also likely to seek his custodial remand for interrogation to uncover any remaining aspects of the case.

This arrest underscores the CBI's commitment to pursuing cases of electoral violence, which often go unpunished due to local influence. The agency's functioning under judicial supervision has been a key factor in maintaining the integrity of the investigation.