West Bengal BJP worker killed; CM promises law to seize assets of accused
A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker was killed in West Bengal's Howrah district on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. The victim, Prasanta Dey, died after a mob allegedly led by Trinamool Congress deputy pradhan Sk. Mafijul and his associates attacked him and his companions.
The incident occurred when a group of BJP workers went to Mafijul's house in Santoshpur, Bagnan, to question him about earlier incidents of corruption and electoral violence. During the confrontation, the deputy pradhan and his aides allegedly attacked the group. After Dey was killed, his wife received a phone call instructing her to remove the body.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that eight persons have been arrested in connection with the murder and that the case has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). He also stated that the government would provide compensation of ₹9 lakh and a job to the victim's wife.
Addressing the media, Chief Minister Adhikari said his government plans to introduce a law in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly to auction the properties of accused in such cases. He urged citizens not to take the law into their own hands, stating, “There is no need for people to form groups and go to the homes of accused persons. If required, the police will take the help of the CID and inter-state agencies. The STF has modern investigative tools and will act wherever evidence exists.”
He appealed for public trust in the legal process, saying, “I appeal to people not to go to anyone’s residence or cause unrest. The administration is taking all necessary and strict measures against corruption. The change in government was brought about to establish the rule of law. People should have faith in the legal process.”
Additionally, the Chief Minister referred to the June 16 violence in Falta, where a mob attacked a police station in an attempt to free Trinamool leader Jahangir Khan. He confirmed that three cases have been registered and 25 people arrested so far. Tension had erupted in Falta on Tuesday after a group led by Khan's wife protested outside the local police station demanding his release. Khan, who had stepped away from the Falta repoll elections days before the repoll on May 21, was arrested on June 8 at Panitanki in Darjeeling district, near the Nepal border.
