Bengal Police Alleges Political Meddling in Noida Detainee Escape
In a dramatic development, West Bengal Police has accused political interference of enabling the escape of a man detained in Noida for allegedly posting fabricated chat screenshots involving Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra. The incident has sparked a heated dispute between police forces of two states, with Noida authorities firmly denying the allegations.
The Case and Initial Investigation
The controversy stems from a February 6 FIR filed by Mahua Moitra, who accused multiple social media users of posting malicious chat conversations featuring her and political strategist Prashant Kishor. The Krishnanagar police team from West Bengal took swift action, requesting microblogging platform X to remove the posts and issuing notices to several accused individuals.
Among those notified was a Noida-based news portal owner who failed to respond to the police notice. This prompted a four-member team from Krishnanagar Kotwali to travel to Noida with an arrest warrant issued by a Chief Judicial Magistrate's court in Nadia, West Bengal.
Conflicting Accounts of the Detention
In an official statement posted on X, Bengal Police claimed their team, with full cooperation from Uttar Pradesh Police, successfully executed the warrant and detained the accused on February 10. However, the situation took an unexpected turn.
"Following external communications by certain political functionaries, the team was taken to the local police station and lawful proceedings were interrupted, enabling the accused to abscond," Bengal Police stated, adding that efforts to apprehend him continue.
The police department further revealed that preliminary digital forensic examination by their cyber cell had conclusively established that the circulated chat screenshots were forged and fabricated. "Evidence indicates a larger conspiracy behind their creation and dissemination," the statement emphasized.
Noida Police's Counter-Narrative
Noida police officials have presented a completely different version of events. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Noida) Shakti Mohan Avasthy termed the allegations of obstruction as baseless, while police sources provided detailed accounts contradicting Bengal Police's claims.
According to these sources, when the joint Bengal and UP police team arrived at the accused's residence in Lotus Panache society on Tuesday night, only his wife opened the door. CCTV footage from the society premises allegedly confirms that the accused was never taken into custody, as he was not home at the time.
"Bengal police personnel searched the place thoroughly but could not trace the whereabouts of the accused," a police source revealed, adding that the team had attempted to call the accused's number, only to find it switched off.
Political Reactions and Broader Implications
The incident has drawn sharp political reactions from various quarters. Kotwali Officer-in-Charge Amalendu Biswas alleged that the accused had name-dropped several politicians while in detention, though specific names were not disclosed.
BJP IT cell chief and Bengal minder Amit Malviya accused Bengal Police of jurisdictional overreach and procedural irregularities. "Bengal Police, fully aware that the person resides outside their jurisdiction, issued a notice demanding appearance within 24 hours, without providing even basic time to make travel arrangements," Malviya posted on X.
He further questioned the speed of the investigation, noting this "lightning speed" was conspicuously absent in far graver crimes. "Why is the state police machinery being weaponised against those who merely amplify what is already circulating in the public domain?" Malviya asked pointedly.
Meanwhile, Mahua Moitra maintained her stance on the matter, posting: "Even forensic lab reports show the chat was forged and fake. Not just defamation but criminal acts of forgery and circulating fake content. All will face the full extent of the law."
Ongoing Investigation and State Coordination
The conflicting narratives have created a complex situation requiring careful resolution. While Bengal Police insists their team faced political interference that compromised their operation, Noida police maintain proper procedures were followed and the accused was simply not present at his residence.
Key aspects of the ongoing investigation include:
- Digital forensic analysis of the alleged fake chat screenshots
- Examination of CCTV footage from the residential society
- Coordination between West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh police departments
- Verification of political interference allegations
- Location tracking of the accused news portal owner
The case highlights growing concerns about digital misinformation and the challenges of cross-jurisdictional law enforcement in India's federal structure. As both police departments continue their investigations, the truth behind these conflicting accounts remains to be fully uncovered.
