Murshidabad: The state secretary of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP), led by Humayun Kabir, has been arrested in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district after police allegedly recovered counterfeit currency and illegal firearms from a vehicle.
Ashik Iqbal was detained late Friday night during a vehicle inspection at a police checkpoint in Hariharpara. Another person travelling with him was also arrested.
According to police, officers stopped an SUV near the Garinama area and recovered 108 counterfeit ₹500 notes, two firearms and four rounds of ammunition during the search.
Investigators are examining the origin and intended use of the fake currency and weapons. Authorities are also looking into whether the counterfeit notes were meant to influence the upcoming October 6 Rejinagar Assembly bypoll and whether the accused had any previous involvement in the circulation of fake currency.
The arrest comes shortly before the bypoll, in which AJUP has fielded Golam Nabi Azad, the son of party chief Humayun Kabir. Kabir vacated the Rejinagar seat after winning both Rejinagar and Nawda in the 2026 Assembly elections, choosing to retain Nawda.
In a separate development, an independent candidate contesting the Rejinagar bypoll was arrested in connection with a five-year-old case involving a clash between two groups during the 2021 state elections.
Meanwhile, Baharampur police have issued a notice to Humayun Kabir, directing him to appear before investigating officers on Monday in a case involving an alleged conspiracy to create tensions between two communities.
The case was registered on September 14 after police presented an audio recording at a press conference in Berhampore. Investigators claimed the conversation indicated a possible plan to provoke communal tensions.
The latest arrests and notices have added to the political and legal developments surrounding the upcoming Rejinagar bypoll, while investigations into the alleged offences remain underway.
