TMC leader murder case: Main accused nabbed in Birbhum
The Statesman | 31 July 2025
Birbhum Police have arrested Sagar Sheikh, the prime accused in the murder of Trinamul Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Baitullah, which took place in Mallarpur on 19 July.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, during her administrative meeting in Bolpur, criticised the Birbhum police and the local inspectors-in-charge (ICs) for their failure to act on prior intelligence and information regarding organised crime, which she said had led to the murders of two TMC leaders in quick succession.
On the evening of 19 July, Sagar Sheikh allegedly hurled three bombs at Sheikh Baitullah while the latter was discussing plans for the 21 July rally in Kolkata with party supporters. Baitullah died on the spot. Sagar Sheikh and his two accomplices also sustained splinter injuries in the attack.
Following information about Sagar Sheikh’s eye injury, Mallarpur police alerted hospitals across nearby districts. He was eventually traced through CCTV footage at a hospital in Murshidabad.
He was arrested at Jogbani while attempting to flee to Nepal via Bihar for treatment on his injured eye, which police say has been severely damaged. He has since been produced in court and will be taken into police remand. Birbhum Police stated that with the main accused in custody, they expect to apprehend his two accomplices shortly.
During interrogation, Sagar Sheikh reportedly admitted to the killing, citing personal disputes with Baitullah. He also has several previous cases against him, including allegations of misappropriating funds from the Banglar Awas Yojana and tree plantation schemes.
Amandeep, superintendent of police, Birbhum, confirmed that the main accused has been arrested and the murder case cracked by Mallarpur police station. Police added that both the victim and the accused were TMC leaders, and the wives of both are members of the local panchayat samity.