Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Former Trinamool MLA Sanat Dey Arrested on Extortion, Violence Charges
Sanat Dey used to be an important local leader, called an MLA, for a political party in India.
Police arrested him because they say he took money from people by scaring them.
They also say he forced people to give up their land and buildings.
Some people from another party, the BJP, say he attacked their workers after elections in 2021.
A judge decided he must stay with the police for six days while they investigate.
On the same day, a man named Birju Keot died while he was in police custody.
His wife says the police hurt him badly, but police say he was found sick inside the lock-up.
He was taken to a hospital in Kalyani, where doctors said he had died.
Different people disagree about what really happened, so the case is still being looked into.
Former Trinamool Congress MLA from Naihati, Sanat Dey, was arrested from his Dattapukur property in North 24-Parganas on Saturday.
Police have registered cases alleging Dey extorted money, intimidated people to take control of land and buildings, and attacked BJP workers after the 2021 Assembly polls.
The Barrackpore subdivisional court ordered six days of police custody for Dey, who had been evading police for weeks.
In the 2026 polls, Dey lost the Naihati seat to BJP's Sumitro Chatterjee by 10,430 votes, ending a term that began with his 2024 bypoll win.
In a separate incident, Birju Keot, husband of former Trinamool councillor Jenny Sharma Keot, died in police custody at Halishahar, with his family alleging custodial assault and police saying he was found ill in the lock-up.
- Who
- Sanat Dey, former Trinamool Congress MLA from Naihati; and Birju Keot, who died in police custody
- What
- Dey was arrested on charges of extortion, intimidation over land and buildings and post-poll violence, while Keot's death in custody triggered allegations of custodial assault.
- When
- On Saturday — the day of Dey's arrest and the early-morning death of Birju Keot.
- Where
- Dattapukur in North 24-Parganas; Barrackpore court; Halishahar police lock-up and JNM Medical College and Hospital in Kalyani.
- Why
- Police say Dey extorted money and attacked BJP workers after the 2021 Assembly polls; Keot's family says police tortured and killed him, which police sources dispute.
Accusers' Perspective
Police and Supporters' Account
Birju Keot's Custody Death
Accusers' Perspective
Family and TMC allege Birju Keot was beaten and tortured inside the lock-up and that police killed him, noting his name was not in an FIR.
Police and Supporters' Account
Police sources say Keot, arrested on extortion charges, was found ill inside the lock-up and taken to JNM Medical College and Hospital in Kalyani, where doctors declared him dead; the Barrackpore police commissionerate has not issued an official statement.
Sanat Dey's Conduct
Accusers' Perspective
BJP leaders and complainants describe Dey as a 'notorious criminal' and 'extortionist' involved in post-poll violence and land-grabbing intimidation, demanding the harshest punishment.
Police and Supporters' Account
Dey's rise from ambulance helper to MLA was supported by some residents who backed his local sports development initiatives; his own response to the allegations is not detailed in the article.
- Arrested person
- Sanat Dey, former Trinamool Congress MLA from Naihati
- Arrest location
- Dattapukur, North 24-Parganas
- Alleged offences
- Extortion, intimidation to take control of land and buildings, attacks on BJP workers after the 2021 Assembly polls
- Court order
- Six days in police custody (Barrackpore subdivisional court)
- 2026 election result
- Lost Naihati seat to BJP's Sumitro Chatterjee by 10,430 votes
- Custody death
- Birju Keot died after being found ill in a Halishahar lock-up; declared dead at JNM Medical College and Hospital, Kalyani
- Key reactions
- Family alleges fatal torture; TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee called it a 'brutal police assault'; police have not issued an official statement