Howrah: Three Trinamool Congress functionaries, including the party's Shibpur strongman Shamim Ahmed, widely known as 'Gabbar', were arrested on Thursday in separate cases involving violence, intimidation, and fraud.
Gabbar's Arrest in Mumbai
Gabbar, who serves as the president of Trinamool's ward 36, was arrested from a rented flat in Chembur, Mumbai, on Thursday night. His wife, Shamima Bano, a former councillor of ward 36, is currently on the run. According to police, Gabbar had been residing in a two-room flat owned by Mahasin Sk, a local Congress leader in Chembur. He is being brought to Howrah on transit remand.
Alleged Attack on Victory Procession
A close associate of TMC MLA and former minister Arup Roy, Gabbar has been accused by the BJP of leading a bomb-and-gun attack on a victory procession led by Sikandar Khan, the BJP's Howrah minority cell president, on May 7. Three people, including a passerby, were seriously injured in the incident.
Illegal Building and Gambling Den
During the investigation, police discovered Gabbar's alleged illegal five-storey building on GT Road (South), where an air-conditioned gambling den operated from the rooftop. Officers recovered 140 rams and found lavish interiors, including a large bed with ornate gold panels. A senior police officer stated that properties worth nearly Rs 170 crore linked to Gabbar have been detected so far. Gabbar was previously arrested by the NIA in connection with violence during a Ram Navami procession and is currently out on bail.
Arrest of Sheikh Wasul
In a separate case, police arrested Sheikh Wasul, a Trinamool labour union functionary in West Burdwan's Faridpur block, on charges of political intimidation and job fraud. Investigators alleged that he duped unemployed youths by promising them jobs and used fear tactics during the assembly polls.
Arrest of Partha Verma
Additionally, South Dum Dum Municipality ward 35 councillor Partha Verma, alias Tinku, was arrested by Lake Town police in connection with alleged post-poll violence in 2021. The charges include vandalising a medicine shop and forcibly taking over a CPM party office.
