A team of West Bengal Police reached Noida to investigate the alleged circulation of โleakedโ private chats of Trinamool Congress (RMC) MP Mahua Moitra, with officials claiming that the accused managed to escape despite an arrest warrant due to alleged intervention by local police.
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The controversy began after a screenshot was posted on social media platform X, claiming to show a private conversation between Moitra and poll strategist Prashant Kishor. The post quickly went viral, being described online as a โlove chatโ.
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Moitra filed a written complaint at Krishnanagar Kotwali police station in Nadia district on February 7, alleging that the screenshot was fake. Based on the complaint, police registered an FIR and began an investigation.
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According to police sources, a digital forensic examination initially indicated that the screenshot was fabricated. The probe led police to a man identified as Surjit Dasgupta, also referred to in some sources as Surjit Sengupta, who allegedly posted the image from his X account. Police sources claim his profile suggests links to a local BJP media cell.
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After the accused failed to appear despite receiving a notice, a Nadia court issued an arrest warrant. A four-member special team from Krishnanagar Kotwali police station travelled to Noida to execute the warrant on Tuesday.
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Superintendent of Police K. Amarnath said the team reached the accusedโs residence and detained him on Monday morning. However, while the arrest memo was being prepared, a team of around 10 to 15 Noida police personnel arrived at the spot.
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According to the Bengal police, their team was taken to the local police station and kept there for about an hour and a half without a clear explanation. During this period, the accused allegedly fled the house. Officials said there was a heated exchange between personnel of the two forces before senior officers intervened and the Bengal team was released.
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The officer-in-charge of Krishnanagar police station claimed that they were informed locally that there was an order from โpolitical higher-upsโ not to make the arrest, though this allegation has not been independently verified.
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The Bengal police team is currently in Noida and is conducting searches at multiple locations to trace the accused.