West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; June 30, 2026 | Canning, West Bengal : Jibantala Police Station have arrested Trinamool Congress Panchayat Pradhan Salauddin Sardar, who is considered a close associate of former Canning Purba MLA and Trinamool leader Shaukat Molla. The arrest was made late on Monday night from the Sonarpur area after the accused had reportedly been absconding for several weeks.

Salauddin Sardar had been wanted in connection with multiple criminal cases, including allegations relating to post-poll violence that took place following the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections. Investigators said that the accused had remained out of reach despite repeated efforts by the police to trace his whereabouts.

The allegations linked to post-election violence, several other accusations have also been levelled against Salauddin Sardar over the years. According to police sources, complaints against him include intimidating local residents, demanding illegal commissions or "cut money," and forcibly occupying land belonging to local people. These allegations have been under investigation, and law enforcement agencies had been monitoring his activities for some time.

The case gained further attention a few weeks ago after police allegedly recovered a large number of sharp-edged weapons from an office associated with Salauddin Sardar. Following that recovery, he reportedly went into hiding, prompting Jibantala Police Station to launch an intensive search operation to locate and arrest him.

After sustained efforts, police tracked him to the Sonarpur area and arrested him during a late-night operation on Monday. Officials confirmed that the accused was taken into custody without any major incident.

Police have stated that Salauddin Sardar will be produced before the Alipore Court on Tuesday, where investigators are expected to seek appropriate legal orders as part of the ongoing investigation. Authorities have not yet disclosed further details regarding the specific charges that will be presented before the court.

The arrest has attracted considerable political attention because of Salauddin Sardar's reported proximity to former Canning Purba MLA Shaukat Molla. The investigation remains ongoing, and police have indicated that further legal proceedings will continue in accordance with the evidence collected in the case.