NIA Arrests TMC Councillor Shakir Ali Over 2023 Ram Navami Violence

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday arrested Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillor Shakir Ali in connection with the large-scale violence that erupted during Ram Navami rallies in West Bengal in March-April 2023. Ali is the husband of former TMC MP Aparupa Poddar.

According to a police officer familiar with the matter, Ali, a councillor of the Rishra municipality, was taken into custody from his residence and will be produced before a court. The arrest led to a commotion outside his home, with his wife, a two-time MP from Arambagh, reportedly engaging in a verbal exchange with officials.

The NIA took over the investigation from the state police on April 27, 2023, following a directive from the Calcutta High Court. Since then, over 50 suspects have been arrested by either the state police or the central agency.

At least six cases related to the 2023 Ram Navami violence have been filed across West Bengal. One case was registered at the Rishra police station, two at the adjacent Sreerampur police station, and others in different districts.

The violence, which involved clashes between communities and destruction of public property, including arson and vandalism at railway facilities, was reported from Dalkhola in Uttar Dinajpur district, Shibpur in Howrah, and Rishra in Hooghly.

The TMC has described the arrest as a 'selective action' targeting those loyal to party chief Mamata Banerjee. This comes after around 65 MLAs and 20 TMC MPs rebelled following the party's defeat in the May 2026 state assembly election. TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh said, 'Police are not acting against those being coerced to join the rebel group. Even if arrested, they are granted bail. Aparupa Poddar remained loyal and was trying to rejuvenate the party in her area, so her husband was targeted.'

The NIA continues its investigation into the case.