Archive · 20 Sep 2026
AJUP Leader Arrested With Fake Notes, Arms In Murshidabad
Police in Murshidabad arrested Ashik Iqbal, a state leader of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party.
They stopped the SUV he was travelling in during a routine vehicle check.
Police said they found fake Rs 500 notes, guns and ammunition inside.
Another person in the vehicle was also held.
Investigators are trying to find out where the items came from.
They are also checking whether the fake money or weapons were connected to an upcoming election.
The arrest happened before the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll.
Party chief Humayun Kabir has separately been asked to answer questions in another police case.
Aam Janata Unnayan Party state secretary Ashik Iqbal was arrested during vehicle checking in Murshidabad.
Police said officers recovered 108 counterfeit Rs 500 notes, two firearms and four rounds of ammunition from an SUV.
Another person travelling with Iqbal was also detained during the late-Friday operation.
Investigators are examining the source and intended use of the currency and weapons, including possible election-related use.
AJUP chief Humayun Kabir was directed to appear in a separate case alleging a conspiracy to inflame tensions between two communities.
- Who
- Ashik Iqbal, the Aam Janata Unnayan Party’s state secretary, and another passenger were held; party chief Humayun Kabir was separately summoned by police.
- What
- Iqbal was arrested after police allegedly found 108 counterfeit Rs 500 notes, two firearms and four rounds of ammunition in an SUV.
- When
- Iqbal was arrested late on Friday night, and the related developments were reported on September 19; the Rejinagar bypoll is scheduled for October 6.
- Where
- Near Garinama in Hariharpara, Murshidabad district, West Bengal.
- Why
- Police said the arrests followed routine vehicle checking and that investigators are examining the source and intended use of the currency and weapons, including whether they were meant for election use.
- Arrested person
- Ashik Iqbal, state secretary of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party
- Recovered currency
- 108 counterfeit notes of Rs 500 denomination
- Weapons recovered
- Two firearms and four rounds of ammunition
- Arrest location
- Near Garinama, Hariharpara, Murshidabad district
- Election context
- The Rejinagar Assembly bypoll is scheduled for October 6
- Party candidate
- AJUP has fielded Golam Nabi Azad in the Rejinagar bypoll
- Separate police notice
- Humayun Kabir was directed to appear before investigating officers on Monday
- Additional arrest
- An Independent Rejinagar bypoll candidate was arrested in a five-year-old 2021 election-clash case