Overview

• CBI filed its second supplementary chargesheet on June 30, naming 18 additional suspects including TMC MLA Paresh Paul and councillors Swapan Samaddar and Papiya Ghosh.
• With the new inclusions, the total number of accused in the 2021 killing of BJP worker Abhijit Sarkar has risen to 38 under sections for murder, criminal conspiracy and evidence tampering.
• Three personnel from Narkeldanga police station, one of whom is a woman officer, were also implicated for alleged complicity or dereliction of duty.
• Prime suspect Arun Dey was arrested late last month after remaining on the run for four years and has been remanded to judicial custody.
• TMC leaders have dismissed the fresh charges as politically motivated attempts to influence public opinion ahead of West Bengal’s assembly elections.