Key suspect in Bengal BJP worker murder held after 4 years
Times of India | 27 June 2025
Kolkata: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday arrested Arun Dey, a prime suspect in the 2021 murder of BJP worker Abhijit Sarkar, from North 24 Parganas. He is the eighth person to be arrested in the case. A resident of Narkeldanga, Dey had been absconding for the past four years. He is believed to be an aide of a senior Trinamool functionary and the first person to be named in the murder FIR. The CBI claimed that he frequently changed his address and avoided contact with acquaintances. The arrest comes just months after another key suspect, Amit Das, was apprehended while working as a food delivery agent in the Kestopur-Newtown area. Around six more suspects remain at large, all facing non-bailable arrest warrants. The police are seeking the police custody of De to nab the other absconding men.
"Dey never joined investigation after case was taken over by CBI as per court directive. After completion of investigation, the CBI filed charge sheet in 2021 against 20 persons, including the absconder (Dey)," a CBI spokesperson stated in Delhi. Sarkar was killed on May 2, 2021, following the announcement of Bengal state assembly election results. According to CBI sources, a mob attacked a BJP party office on Sitalatalla Lane in Narkeldanga, where Sarkar was watching election results. The 30-year-old had escaped to his home but later dragged out and killed. The case was transferred to CBI following high court's order after Sarkar's family expressed disatisfaction.