Archive · 23 Aug 2026
TMC MP Kirti Azad Booked in Bengal Extortion Case
Police in Raniganj have opened a case against Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Jha Azad and four other people.
A businessman named Rahul Ghosh made the complaint.
He says the MP demanded Rs 15 lakh from him.
He also says he was threatened with losing his gas dealership if he did not pay.
The complaint says the MP wanted him to collect money from other businessmen.
Police have listed several serious, non-bailable legal sections in the case.
The police are now investigating the allegations.
Kirti Azad has not publicly responded to this case.
The case follows another controversy involving a purported audio recording submitted for forensic examination.
Police registered FIR No. 352/2026 against TMC MP Kirti Jha Azad and four others in Raniganj.
Businessman Rahul Ghosh alleged that Azad demanded Rs 15 lakh and threatened to close his HP Gas sub-dealership.
The complaint names Azad’s PSO Manohar Singh and associates Biswajeet Chatterjee, Swaraj Ghosh, and Purushottam.
The FIR invokes several non-bailable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and police have begun investigating.
Azad has not issued a statement, while a separate purported audio recording has fueled political controversy in West Bengal.
- Who
- Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Jha Azad, his personal security officer Manohar Singh, associates Biswajeet Chatterjee, Swaraj Ghosh, and Purushottam were named in the FIR after a complaint by businessman Rahul Ghosh.
- What
- Raniganj Police registered a case alleging threats, extortion demands, and criminal conspiracy.
- When
- The alleged phone call and meeting occurred on May 21, 2025; FIR No. 352/2026 was later registered.
- Where
- Raniganj Police Station, under the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate in West Bengal; the alleged meeting took place at Azad’s official residence in Durgapur.
- Why
- The case was filed after Rahul Ghosh alleged that he was asked to pay Rs 15 lakh and collect money from local businessmen, while being threatened with the closure of his gas dealership.
- Case number
- FIR No. 352/2026
- Police station
- Raniganj Police Station
- Alleged demand
- Rs 15 lakh
- Complainant
- Rahul Ghosh, a resident of Hill Bastee
- Named accused
- Kirti Jha Azad, Manohar Singh, Biswajeet Chatterjee, Swaraj Ghosh, and Purushottam
- Legal provisions
- Sections 59, 198, 221, 308(6), 262, 263, 351(3), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Investigation status
- Raniganj Police have initiated an investigation