Former West Bengal Minister Udayan Guha Arrested Amid Controversy

Udayan Guha, a former minister and TMC leader, was arrested in Cooch Behar, West Bengal, amid allegations of police misconduct. The arrest has reignited political tensions, particularly following accusations from opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, who claims the police attempted to protect Guha in a previous attack case. The situation has drawn attention to the integrity of police investigations and the political landscape in the state. As the court demands clarity on the FIRs involved, the unfolding events are likely to have significant implications for West Bengal's political dynamics.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 17, 2026, 14:36 IST

Udayan Guha's Arrest in Cooch Behar

On Wednesday, police apprehended Udayan Guha, a former minister and leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), in the Cooch Behar district of North Bengal. The authorities have not yet disclosed the reasons behind his arrest. Notably, in September of the previous year, Suvendu Adhikari, the then leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, accused the state police of attempting to shield Guha in connection with an incident involving an alleged attack on his convoy in Cooch Behar the previous month. To support his claims, Adhikari referenced an order issued by the Jalpaiguri Circuit Bench of the Calcutta High Court, which instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to submit an affidavit by September 10.

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The court has requested clarification from the police regarding whether the FIR filed by Adhikari, which names Guha as the primary accused, is the same as the FIR registered by the police on their own initiative, or if Adhikari's complaint suggests a "larger conspiracy." Adhikari approached the High Court through a writ petition, alleging that the police ignored his complaint and instead initiated an investigation based on their own FIR, which did not include the minister as an accused.

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Adhikari stated, "I will not allow criminals to escape so easily." His writ petition was thoroughly heard by Justice Aniruddha Roy, who questioned the IG of North Bengal about why an FIR was not filed based on Adhikari's complaint, instead asserting that their 'suo moto' complaint and his were identical.