Full Breakdown
Detention of AJUP chief Humayun Kabir amid West Bengal by-polls
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 6, 2026, during voting in the Rejinagar Assembly by-poll, AJUP chief and MLA Humayun Kabir was taken into police custody at his party office in Murshidabad after a verbal clash with officers. Police later escorted him to the Rejinagar police station.
Background & Context
The Rejinagar seat became vacant after Kabir won both Rejinagar and Nowda in the May 2026 Assembly election and chose to retain Nowda. His son, Golam Nabi Azad, was fielded by AJUP for the by-poll. Voting was scheduled for five Assembly constituencies and one Lok Sabha seat on October 6, with counting on October 9 and the process to conclude by October 11.
Key Figures & Groups
- Humayun Kabir – AJUP chief, MLA from Nowda.
- Suvendu Adhikari – Chief Minister of West Bengal, BJP leader.
- Anandjit Hore – SDPO for Rejinagar, responsible for the detention.
- Golam Nabi Azad – AJUP candidate for Rejinagar, Kabir’s son.
- Rabiul Alam Chowdhury – TMC candidate; Sakharav Sarkar – BJP candidate; Mohammad Abdullahil Kafi – Congress candidate; Syed Asad Ali – CPI(M) candidate.
Official Statements & Responses
Police said Kabir had broken the law and was arrested accordingly. SDPO Anandjit Hore declined further comment, noting sufficient police and CAPF presence. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, after voting in Nandigram, stated that the law applies equally to everyone.
Criticism & Opposition
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury alleged that voters had lost trust in the Election Commission, claiming the system was being run by the ruling party. In Nandigram, Congress candidate Milan Pradhan reported motorbike-raided homes of party workers, suggesting intimidation of opposition supporters.
Data & Statistics
Rejinagar has 2.57 lakh registered electors across 315 polling stations; Nandigram has 2.67 lakh voters at 323 stations. Early returns showed about 18 % turnout in Rejinagar and 44 % in Nandigram. Central forces deployed 71 companies across the two constituencies, and VVPAT-enabled EVMs were used at all booths.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Police have not disclosed the specific legal provision for Kabir’s arrest, and no formal charges have been released. AJUP officials claim the detention was a response to police intimidation, while authorities maintain Kabir violated election-day regulations. Independent observers reported allegations of booth-capturing and EVM malfunction in Nandigram, but verification is pending.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The MLA of Nowda (Kabir) has been arrested. Law is equal for everyone, and nobody should try to violate it,” — Suvendu Adhikari
- “Humayun Kabir has been arrested because he has broken the law. No more comments, please. The situation is under control. There is enough police and CAPF to contain the situation.” — Anandjit Hore
What’s Next
The Election Commission will count votes on October 9 and aims to finish the by-poll process by October 11. Results will indicate how political equations are shifting after the 2026 Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.