“Bangla Pokkho” founder Garga Chatterjee was arrested by the Kolkata Police’s Cyber Cell on Tuesday (May 12, 2026) on allegations of spreading misinformation about EVM manipulation during the recently held West Bengal Assembly elections.

Bangla Pokkho is a pro-Bengali advocacy organisation, and Mr. Chatterjee is often found campaigning for prioritising the Bengali language and Bengalis over other languages and communities in West Bengal. During the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, he urged people to vote either for Trinamool Congress or Left Front candidates, but not the Bharatiya Janata Party, claiming that the saffron party is a party of “outsiders”

“The complaint against him was lodged by the District Election Officer (DEO) of Kolkata North, following which the cyber cell initiated action. He was summoned twice in connection with the matter, but he did not appear, and that is the reason he was arrested today,” Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand told media persons at Lalbazar Police Headquarters.

This is not the first time Mr. Chatterjee has been arrested by the Kolkata Police. In August 2022, he was arrested for allegedly hurting the sentiments of Assamese people and promoting enmity between communities. The arrest was made on the orders of the Gauhati High Court after an FIR was filed against him for allegedly making objectionable remarks against a ruler of the Ahom dynasty.

ED custody for ex-Minister

In another development, former Trinamool Congress Minister Sujit Bose, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday, was sent to 10-day ED custody. The Central investigation agency alleged that Mr. Bose had illegally recommended 150 candidates for different posts under the South Dum Dum Municipality in lieu of pecuniary benefits.

On Tuesday, the ED’s counsel told a special court that during the Covid-19 lockdown, a restaurant owned by Mr. Bose had reported sales of about ₹1.11 crore.

Messi episode back in focus

In yet another development, newly appointed West Bengal Sports Minister Nisith Pramanik said that he has sought the file related to the Lionel Messi event in Kolkata, where violence had erupted due to mismanagement. Former Sports Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Aroop Biswas had been blamed for the incident. Mr. Pramanik said he would talk to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and take action if required.