Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has criticised the BJP after the Lokpal dismissed a corruption complaint against Bankura Lok Sabha MP Arup Chakraborty, with a CBI preliminary inquiry finding the allegations against the former TMC leader unsubstantiated.
Reacting to the development in a post on X on Thursday, Banerjee wrote: “Amazing! Welcome to the great machine age of PM Modi’s New India:- Join the BJP and the WASHING MACHINE awaits. Stand your ground and the CRUSHING MACHINE starts rolling.”
The Lokpal’s decision came after the Central Bureau of Investigation examined six allegations against Chakraborty. The CBI submitted its preliminary inquiry report on August 28, 2026, stating that the allegations had “remained unsubstantiated”.
The Lokpal, in an order passed on September 10 by a bench headed by chairperson Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, said the complaint was “devoid of merit” and disposed of the matter. The order also noted that the allegations related to a period when Chakraborty was a member of the West Bengal Legislative Council rather than Parliament, raising a question over the Lokpal’s jurisdiction under the 2013 law.
The CBI inquiry examined the allegations after the Lokpal directed the agency to conduct a preliminary inquiry in November 2025.
According to reports, investigators examined more than 45 documents and recorded statements from six witnesses. The allegations included claims of illegal financial proceeds, intimidation of local residents, misuse of political influence and irregularities involving a government fishery project and land.
Chakraborty, who has since left the TMC and joined the breakaway NCPI faction, welcomed the Lokpal's decision and described the allegations against him as “vexatious and baseless.”
