Kolkata: A dramatic arrest operation in West Bengal has gone viral on social media after police allegedly discovered a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader hiding beneath stacks of sarees during a raid conducted at his residence. The incident has generated widespread political attention and intensified the ongoing debate over law enforcement action against leaders accused in post election violence and other criminal cases.
According to reports, police teams arrived at the residence of the TMC functionary as part of an operation linked to an ongoing investigation. During the search, officers allegedly found the leader concealed beneath piles of saree packets inside the house in an apparent attempt to evade arrest. A video of the operation quickly surfaced online and has since been widely shared across social media platforms.
The footage, which has attracted significant public interest, shows police personnel searching the premises before locating the accused. The unusual circumstances surrounding the arrest have triggered a wave of reactions online, with political leaders and social media users weighing in on the incident.
The development comes at a time when law enforcement agencies in West Bengal have intensified operations against several political leaders facing allegations related to post poll violence, extortion and other criminal offences. In recent weeks, police have carried out multiple raids across the state targeting individuals accused in various cases.
Opposition parties have seized on the incident to criticise the ruling Trinamool Congress, alleging that the arrest reflects growing pressure on leaders facing legal scrutiny. BJP leaders highlighted the viral video as evidence of what they described as increasing accountability measures against those accused of wrongdoing. Similar political exchanges have accompanied several recent police actions in the state.
The Trinamool Congress, however, has maintained that legal processes should proceed independently and has accused opposition parties of attempting to politicise ongoing investigations. Party leaders have repeatedly argued that allegations against individual members should not be used to target the organisation as a whole.
West Bengal has witnessed heightened political tensions since the Assembly elections, with multiple investigations, arrests and raids involving leaders from different political backgrounds. The latest incident has further added to the charged political atmosphere in the state.