Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Humayun Kabir Detained as Bengal Bypolls Face Allegations
Police took Humayun Kabir away from his party office while people were voting in Rejinagar.
Reports say he argued with police, and some describe a scuffle.
Kabir said police were interfering with voting and frightening voters.
He also said police had detained 64 people in the previous two months.
Police said he was not a candidate or an authorised election agent.
Reports said he was accused of trying to influence voters, but details about the arrest were not immediately clear.
People were also voting in Nandigram, where candidates made different claims about problems at polling places.
Voting was scheduled to end at 6 pm, and the votes are due to be counted on October 9.
West Bengal Police detained or arrested AJUP chief and Nowda MLA Humayun Kabir at his party office in Rejinagar during Tuesday’s bypoll voting.
Reports describe a heated confrontation and scuffle; police were seen pulling Kabir by his shirt before escorting him away.
Kabir accused police of interfering with polling and intimidating voters, and said 64 people had been detained over the previous two months.
Police said Kabir was not a bypoll candidate or authorised election agent; reports also said he was accused of trying to influence or incite voters, with formal arrest details initially unclear.
Voting was also held in Nandigram amid competing claims of intimidation and irregularities; counting for both seats is scheduled for October 9.
- Who
- West Bengal Police detained or arrested Humayun Kabir, chief of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party and MLA for Nowda.
- What
- Kabir was taken from his party office after a confrontation with police during the Rejinagar bypoll; reports differ in wording between detention and arrest.
- When
- Tuesday, October 6, 2026, while bypoll voting was underway.
- Where
- Kabir’s party office in Rejinagar, Murshidabad district, West Bengal.
- Why
- Kabir accused police of polling interference; police said he was not a candidate or authorised election agent, and reports said he faced allegations of trying to influence voters.
Kabir and opposition allegations
Police and BJP responses
Reason for the police action
Kabir and opposition allegations
Kabir accused police of interfering with polling, intimidating voters, and targeting people in the constituency.
Police and BJP responses
Police said Kabir was neither a bypoll candidate nor an authorised election agent; reports said he was accused of attempting to influence voters or incite them.
Conditions in Nandigram
Kabir and opposition allegations
Congress candidate Milan Pradhan alleged polling agents were blocked from booths, voters were intimidated or subjected to force, and irregularities were not addressed.
Police and BJP responses
BJP candidate Hasirani Rath said voting was peaceful and festive, and dismissed the opposition’s allegations.
- Person detained
- Humayun Kabir, AJUP chief and Nowda MLA
- Location
- AJUP party office, Rejinagar, Murshidabad
- Bypoll constituencies
- Rejinagar and Nandigram
- AJUP candidate in Rejinagar
- Golam Nabi Azad, Kabir’s son
- Kabir’s allegations
- Police interference with polling, voter intimidation, and detention of 64 people over the previous two months
- Voting hours
- 7 am to 6 pm
- Counting
- October 9
Sources
Bengal police arrest MLA Humayun Kabir, drag him by shirt
Bengal bypoll: AJUP chief Humayun Kabir detained after clash with police in Rejinagar - Telegraph India
Rejinagar bypoll: AJUP chief Humayun Kabir detained after alleging police interference
