West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the suspension of two senior officials at Presidency Central Correctional Home after a surprise raid uncovered 23 mobile phones. The crackdown, led by the state police’s Correctional Services directorate with Kolkata Police, lasted about four hours and resulted in a CID probe to identify SIM-card users and examine call records. Adhikari warned that criminals are running networks from jail and hinted prior government involvement, adding similar operations will follow across the state.
Petrol prices have climbed across India’s major metros, with the sharpest jump in Kolkata and smaller hikes in Chennai, while CNG costs rose by Rs 2 in only Delhi and Mumbai. For drivers covering 1,000 km monthly, the change can mean a few hundred to a few thousand rupees in extra fuel spending depending on mileage and fuel type. Still, calculations show CNG cars remain notably cheaper than petrol cars even after the increase.
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Kolkata Deputy Commissioner of Police Shantanu Sinha Biswas has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an alleged extortion racket. Reports say the ED had faced months of legal hurdles and repeated non-appearance, leading to a lookout notice. He later showed up for questioning after the BJP toppled the Mamata government in West Bengal. The ED alleges his responses raised concerns, saying he concealed facts and failed to cooperate, with claims of collusion involving criminal ‘Sona Pappu’ and businessman Jai Kamdar.
Days after Chandranath Rath, Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant, was shot at point-blank range in Madhyamgram, investigators say a UPI payment made at a Bally toll booth by the car that tailed his SUV could help lead to arrests. CCTV tracking identified a Nissan Micra that blocked the Scorpio, followed by escape in a red car and a bike. Preliminary findings suggest the vehicles were stolen, with fake number plates and possible shooters brought from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
West Bengal’s former chief minister Mamata Banerjee appeared before the Calcutta High Court on Thursday for a hearing tied to a post-poll violence PIL filed after the May 4 election results. Senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee alleged widespread hooliganism and targeting of Trinamool Congress workers, while petitioner Bikash Bhattacharya pointed to the demolition of Muslim shopkeepers’ makeshift stalls in Kolkata’s Hog Market area using a bulldozer. Banerjee also urged the court to direct police to register FIRs for all poll-related violence.
The CBI has registered an FIR and opened an investigation into the murder of Chandranath Rath, the PA of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Rath, a former Indian Air Force personnel, was shot dead near Madhyamgram on May 6. A court remanded three arrested suspects to police custody until May 24, while the agency suspects conspiracy and organized crime.
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Small traders around Kolkata’s BBD Bag are hopeful as the West Bengal government moves back to Writers’ Buildings after 13 years. They expect renewed footfall from the secretariat’s return, recalling how businesses suffered when the administration shifted to Nabanna. Tea stall owners, eateries, and shopkeepers say the change drained daily customers—and they want that rhythm back.
Sports promoter Satadru Dutta has broken his silence on the December 13, 2025 Salt Lake Stadium chaos during Lionel Messi’s GOAT Tour. In a hard-hitting response, Dutta said he regrets bringing Messi to Kolkata after a security collapse triggered disorder and an abrupt exit. The incident has reignited scrutiny of planning, coordination, and accountability in West Bengal.
After BJP formed the government in West Bengal, Minister Dilip Ghosh said the administration must start immediately to rebuild the state. Speaking at the Kolkata swearing-in, he claimed there is “no law and order” and that people had been living in fear. While acknowledging reforms will take time, he promised visible changes soon.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tribute to BJP activists allegedly killed by Trinamool Congress workers, with a memorial set up at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. The leaders called the victims’ sacrifices a source of strength for the party. BJP’s state president alleged that more than 300 workers were killed during post-poll violence.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi sparked a wave of curiosity in Kolkata when he touched the feet of veteran BJP worker Makhanlal Sarkar, 98, and embraced him on stage during the swearing-in of West Bengal’s new BJP government. The gesture before the event began has left many asking who Sarkar is and what long standing contribution earned such personal recognition.
Tata Starbucks says it is bullish on India’s long-term coffee growth, unveiling its first Starbucks Reserve store in east India at Kolkata. The company points to rising coffee penetration and sees expansion that is both sustainable and profitable. With more outlets planned, Starbucks is using the Reserve format to deepen its presence as India’s coffee market continues to grow.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata to steer the BJP’s next leadership decision in West Bengal. The party’s legislature party meeting is scheduled for 4 PM, where the leader of the legislative group will be elected, setting the stage for the BJP’s swearing-in ceremony after its historic 207-seat landslide victory.
The US Consulate in Kolkata has introduced priority visa appointment slots for parents aged 50 and above who are visiting children legally residing in the United States. The initiative is designed to cut down waiting times by letting eligible travelers secure interview dates more quickly, easing scheduling pressure for older applicants and families planning trips.
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In Kolkata, the post-mortem of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, found three gunshot wounds—two in the chest and one in the abdomen. Doctors said the injuries caused excessive blood loss and multiple organ failure, concluding Rath died instantly at the scene. Investigators are using the findings to sharpen the case timeline and identify responsibility.
Sayantan Banerjee, a visually impaired teacher from Kolkata, leads the way at Bikramgarh High School—teaching even sighted students. Learning through audiobooks and Braille, he later founded a Reader-Writer Bank to support blind students. His story has become a powerful reminder that disability doesn’t decide a future, and access to tools can unlock education for all.
In Kolkata’s Rajarhat-New Town, the BJP’s victory rally turned tragic when BJP worker Madhu Mandal was allegedly beaten to death. His body was later found in a patch of mud, and the family claims TMC rivals targeted him. The family is demanding an immediate arrest, as police investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack and rival allegations.
TMC has accused BJP supporters of using a bulldozer to demolish meat shops in Kolkata’s New Market during a victory celebration. The party called it “hooliganism,” alleged the central forces did not act, and warned it points to a pattern of intimidation after election results. BJP has denied any involvement in violence.
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Security cover has reportedly been withdrawn from Abhishek Banerjee’s Shantiniketan residence in Kolkata following TMC’s poll debacle in Bengal. Visuals from outside the premises on Wednesday showed a noticeably lighter security presence, with personnel and barricades previously seen at the upscale property no longer visible. The development has sparked fresh political chatter in the state.
Kolkata saw an overnight drive by municipal authorities at the historic Hogg Market, also known as New Market, in Dharmatala. Bulldozers demolished multiple illegal shops and encroachments that, officials said, violated market regulations. The operation began late last night and continued into the early hours, drawing attention to enforcement in the city’s iconic colonial-era marketplace—one day after BJP’s Bengal win.
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