Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Trinamool Congress Alleges Bengal Police Human Rights Violations, Vows Action
The Trinamool Congress says police in Bengal are treating its leaders unfairly.
Sagarika Ghose said some people were arrested after new FIRs were filed over old accusations.
She also said accused people were not always told why cases were registered or given time to seek legal help.
The party says this violates human and constitutional rights.
It plans to raise the issue with human rights bodies in India and abroad.
The dispute followed a police visit to the party's Camac Street office on August 27.
Police went there to remove a hoarding that officials said broke municipal rules.
Trinamool leader Derek O'Brien said he was pushed and manhandled during the incident, while several party leaders now face criminal allegations.
Trinamool Congress deputy leader Sagarika Ghose accused Bengal police of violating human, constitutional and democratic rights.
Ghose said the party would approach national and international human rights or judicial forums, without naming specific institutions.
Her remarks followed police questioning of Derek O'Brien and Sumit Roy over an August 27 altercation at the party's Camac Street office.
Police entered the office to remove a hoarding deemed to violate municipal rules; O'Brien later alleged he was pushed and manhandled.
Several Trinamool leaders face FIRs alleging obstruction, unlawful assembly, assault and harassment of women police personnel.
- Who
- The Trinamool Congress, led in this briefing by Rajya Sabha deputy leader Sagarika Ghose, and Bengal police.
- What
- The party accused police of human rights violations and said it would pursue legal and human rights remedies.
- When
- Ghose made the remarks on Wednesday, after the August 27 office incident and police questioning on Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Where
- West Bengal, including the Trinamool Congress office on Camac Street in Calcutta.
- Why
- The party objected to police actions, including FIRs, arrests and the investigation into the office altercation, which it says denied legal and democratic rights.
- Accusation
- The Trinamool Congress alleges violations of human, constitutional and democratic rights by Bengal police.
- Announced action
- The party said it would approach national and international judicial or human rights forums, but did not identify them.
- Office incident
- Police entered the party's Camac Street office on August 27 to remove a hoarding deemed contrary to municipal norms.
- Questioned leaders
- Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien and Sumit Roy were questioned by police; Abhishek Banerjee was questioned for hours on Tuesday.
- Police cases
- Several senior Trinamool leaders face FIRs alleging obstruction of officials, unlawful assembly, assault and harassment of women personnel.
- O'Brien's allegation
- Derek O'Brien said he was pushed, heckled and manhandled after falling down a staircase during the police action.
- Democracy index claim
- Ghose said India had reached its lowest-ever ranking since 1975 in the V-Dem democracy index.