Kolkata, August 12: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has made a significant breakthrough by arresting a declared fugitive involved in the violence and murder cases following the 2021 elections in West Bengal.
On Tuesday, the CBI apprehended the fugitive, Gopal Das, also known as Vishal Paul, in Rabindranagar, Madhyamgram, located in North 24 Parganas district.
According to a press release from the CBI, the accused had been on the run since an FIR was registered in 2021 and had never participated in the investigation or trial. The agency had announced a cash reward of ₹50,000 for information leading to his arrest. His capture was made possible through human intelligence and technical inputs.
The CBI registered this case on August 25, 2021, following an order from the Calcutta High Court dated August 19, 2021. The case pertains to the alleged murder of Abhijit Sarkar on May 2, 2021, which was initially reported at the Narkeldanga police station.
After completing the investigation, the CBI filed charge sheets and supplementary charge sheets against 38 accused individuals in 2021 and 2025. This list includes Gopal Das, former TMC MLA Paresh Pal, and former TMC councillor Swapna Samaddar, along with Papia Ghosh, who face various charges under the IPC. The case is currently being heard in the Calcutta Sessions Court.
Gopal Das was presented before a competent court in Kolkata on Tuesday, which remanded him to judicial custody.
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