Police Find TMC Leader Hiding Under Clothes Amid PM Awas Yojana ‘Cut Money’ Probe

A viral video has captured the dramatic arrest of a TMC leader in Howrah, who attempted to evade law enforcement by concealing himself under a pile of discarded garments.

The political climate in West Bengal has intensified following a bizarre incident in Howrah, where local police discovered a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader, Brahmananda Chakraborty, hiding beneath a heap of clothes. The arrest, captured in a video that has since circulated widely on social media, occurred as authorities moved in to conduct a probe into allegations of financial irregularities surrounding the PM Awas Yojana.

Allegations of ‘Cut Money’

Chakraborty has been accused of soliciting “cut money”—a local term for illicit commissions—from beneficiaries of the central government’s housing scheme. The investigation centers on claims that a significant portion of funds earmarked for impoverished housing applicants was allegedly siphoned off by political intermediaries before reaching the intended recipients.

The term “cut money” has long been a flashpoint in West Bengal’s political discourse, frequently cited by opposition parties to criticize the state’s governance of welfare distribution. While some reports indicate that certain party functionaries have recently attempted to return these funds to beneficiaries, the arrest of Chakraborty suggests that the broader probe into these financial discrepancies remains highly active.

A Dramatic Discovery

The footage of the apprehension shows officers methodically searching the premises of the leader’s residence. After uncovering the hidden official, the police were seen clearing away the layers of clothing to extract the suspect. The incident has provided fresh leverage to opposition factions, who have consistently alleged that state-level implementation of federal housing schemes is marred by corruption at the grassroots level.

This development comes at a sensitive time, as federal authorities and state officials remain locked in a contentious debate over administrative accountability. The arrest of Chakraborty serves as a stark visual representation of the ongoing friction between political operatives and law enforcement regarding the transparency of welfare funds.

As the legal proceedings against the leader move forward, the incident has reignited demands from critics for a more rigorous audit of housing scheme disbursements across the region. With the video serving as a focal point for public outcry, the case is likely to remain a central feature of the state's volatile political narrative in the coming weeks.