Fake chat linking MP & Prashant Kishor sparks inter-state police row

A political storm erupted on Wednesday after a team from Kotwali police under Krishnagar Police district jurisdiction in Nadia alleged that their attempt to arrest a Noida-based BJP functionary in connection with a “forged” social media post was thwarted by the Uttar Pradesh police.

At the heart of the controversy lies a purported WhatsApp chat, circulated on X (formerly Twitter), claiming to show an exchange between a sitting Member of Parliament from Krishnagar, Mahua Moitra and political strategist Prashant Kishor. The MP dismissed the chat as fabricated and lodged a formal complaint on 7 February with Kotwali police station.

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“Digital forensic examination confirmed that the chat was completely fake and forged,” Mr Amalendu Biswas, inspector-in-charge, Kotwali police station told reporters. “It was a deliberate attempt to malign the MP and spread misinformation.”

The accused, identified as Surujit Dasgupta, a resident of Noida and reportedly associated with the local BJP media cell, was issued a notice and summoned to appear before the police on 9 February. However, he neither appeared nor communicated any reason for his absence, the officer said.

Subsequently, the police approached the District Judges Court in Krishnagar, which issued a warrant against Dasgupta. Acting on the warrant, a four-member team from Krishnagar travelled to Noida to execute the arrest.

What followed has now triggered allegations of inter-state police confrontation.

According to Mr Biswas, when their team reached Dasgupta’s residence in Noida’s Phase 2 police jurisdiction (Chowki No. 110) with assistance from local police, the situation took an unexpected turn. “Around 12 to 14 personnel from the local police intervened, pulled our team away and fully assisted Surujit Dasgupta in escaping from his house,” Mr Biswas alleged.

The Kotwali team claimed they were then taken to the Phase 2 police station and kept there for nearly one and a half hours. “It was a kind of detention. They did not call it an arrest, but our officers were kept at the station without any reason while we were executing a lawful court order,” Mr Biswas said.

When asked whether political considerations played a role, the officer responded that the local police cited it as a “high-level political issue” and expressed inability to assist in taking the accused into custody. “They told us we could not take him from there,” he added.

The Uttar Pradesh Police have yet to issue an official statement on the allegations.

Dasgupta is said to hold a position in the BJP’s local media cell in Noida. The development has lent a sharp political edge to the episode, with opposition voices in Bengal questioning the neutrality of the law enforcement response.

Meanwhile, the Kotwali police said they are in communication with senior officers and are consulting the court regarding further legal steps. “We are taking up the matter at higher levels and will pursue appropriate legal action,” the officer asserted.