Police have arrested Trinamool Congress MLA Paresh Ram Dass in West Bengal. A special team of Baruipur police apprehended him at Kolkata airport on Monday afternoon while he was preparing to board a flight to Mumbai. He faces serious charges including rape, extortion, and post-election violence.
According to police, the Canning West MLA had been absconding for a long time. Following his arrest, he is being taken to Baruipur in South 24 Parganas, where he will appear in court on Tuesday.
MLA Paresh Ram Dass faces serious charges including rape, extortion, and election violence. In May this year, the Calcutta High Court granted him temporary protection from arrest. This relief was granted on May 16th in connection with six FIRs registered at the Canning police station. Five of these cases were from 2021, while the sixth was related to an incident on April 20, 2026.
While granting interim protection, the court had directed the police to continue their investigation and the MLA to cooperate fully. However, this relief was only valid until June 30th or until further orders. The MLA, who has since been absconding, has now been arrested.
MLA Paresh Ram Das was also under investigation for the violence that occurred during the 2023 Panchayat elections. He is accused of firing a shot and attempted murder during the elections.
On the orders of the Calcutta High Court, the CID summoned him for questioning in September. Das appeared before the agency, but his health deteriorated mid-interrogation. He had to be hospitalized after complaining of chest pain and difficulty breathing.
Union Minister of State Shantanu Thakur has issued a statement regarding the arrest of TMC MLA Paresh Ram Dass. In Kolkata, he said that as the police investigation progresses, the MLA will receive whatever punishment is due under the law.