Trinamool MLA Paresh Ram Das arrested on charges of rape and extortion

Police said there were several charges against MLA Paresh Ram Das including extortion and rape. File image for representation only | Photo Credit: The Hindu

Mamata All India Trinamool Congress MLA Paresh Ram Das was arrested on Monday (November 9, 2026) from Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Police said there were several charges against the Canning Paschim MLA including extortion and rape.

According to police sources, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Baruipur district police began tracking the MLA after receiving information that he was heading to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Mr. Das had defeated his nearest rival, BJP candidate from Canning Paschim by a margin of over 40,000 votes.

The team subsequently contacted the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate, following which the MLA was arrested. Mr. Das is among the handful of MLAs that have remained with former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Mamata AITC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said that as he was with the rebel camp, the police were inactive but when the MLA pledged his alliance to Ms. Banerjee, he was arrested. Recently, the MLA has put a post of social media, stating “Alvida Canning. We will meet again”.

Several leaders of the Trinamool Congress have been arrested after the BJP came to power in May 2026, which includes five former Ministers, including Bishnupur MLA Dilip Mondal. The list of former Ministers who are behind bars includes Sujit Bose, Indranil Sen, Ujjwal Biswas and Udayan Guha.

The Mamata Banerjee loyalists claim that leaders, MLAs and former Ministers who have joined the rebel camp led by Ritabrata Banerjee are being given a reprieve by the police while those still having allegiance to the former Chief Minister are being arrested.

Published - November 10, 2026 04:50 am IST