Kolkata Police has arrested five persons, including two admins of a WhatsApp group, for allegedly planning to lay siege to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Kalighat residence.

The five — identified as Shubham Sen Sharma, Varsha Ghosh, Krishna Ghosh Arijit Dey, and Sukhendu Banerjee — were arrested on Wednesday, said police.

They have been booked under various sections of the BNS, including criminal conspiracy, wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riots, misinformation among others.

According to police, Sukhendu Banerjee created a WhatsApp group called ‘We want justice’. Subham Sen Sharma allegedly posted an audio clip in the group.

“Five others entered into a criminal conspiracy… Sent provocative messages that could likely cause rioting and promote disharmony and feelings of enmity, hatred. and ill-will… They did all these with intent to cause fear or alarm to the general public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against state or public tranquility,” said a police officer.

Mobile phones of all the arrested accused persons have been seized, said police.

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