A political storm has erupted in West Bengal after a viral video showed police officers pulling a local Trinamool Congress leader from beneath a heap of clothes during an operation linked to irregularities in the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
The leader has been identified as Brahmananda Chakraborty, a local TMC functionary from Howrah district.
According to reports, police arrived at his residence as part of an investigation into allegations that beneficiaries of the central government’s housing scheme were forced to pay illegal commissions, commonly referred to in Bengal’s political vocabulary as “cut money.”
Officials conducting the operation reportedly searched the premises after suspecting that Chakraborty was attempting to evade arrest. During the search, police discovered him concealed beneath a pile of clothes inside the house.
ये वीडियो बंगाल के हावड़ा का है, TMC नेता ‘ब्रह्मानंद चक्रवर्ती’ को पुलिस गिरफ्तार करने आई, यो वो कपड़ो के ढेर के नीचे छिप गए.
बाद में पुलिस ने ‘कपड़े’ हटाकर निकाला,
इस नेता पर ‘आवास योजना’ के लिए आवंटित धनराशि पर ‘कटौती’ करने का आरोप है। pic.twitter.com/Nv6zaBZQcP
— Apurva Singh (@iSinghApurva) June 7, 2026
Videos of the operation, which surfaced shortly afterward, show officers removing layers of clothing before pulling the accused out from his hiding place. The footage has since spread widely across social media platforms, becoming one of the most discussed political videos from West Bengal in recent days.
PM Awas Yojana Funds at Centre of Allegations
The case revolves around allegations that money meant for beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana was subjected to illegal deductions before reaching intended recipients.
Investigators are examining claims that a commission was allegedly demanded from beneficiaries seeking financial assistance under the housing scheme. The allegations suggest that a portion of government funds earmarked for housing construction may have been diverted through unofficial channels.
The term “cut money” has become a politically sensitive issue in West Bengal over the past several years. It is commonly used to describe alleged commissions or kickbacks reportedly collected by intermediaries from beneficiaries of government welfare programmes.
The issue has repeatedly surfaced in public discourse, with parties accusing sections of the TMC of exploiting welfare schemes for financial gain.
Viral Video Triggers Political Row
The video of Chakraborty’s arrest quickly gained traction online, drawing sharp reactions from political parties and social media users alike.
Political leaders seized upon the footage, claiming it reflected a wider pattern of alleged corruption linked to welfare distribution mechanisms in the state. Several political figures highlighted the incident as evidence supporting their long-standing allegations regarding the collection of “cut money” from ordinary beneficiaries.
The incident has once again brought the issue of accountability in welfare delivery under public scrutiny.
Many Targets TMC Over Alleged Corruption
The arrest has provided fresh ammunition to many, who have frequently accused members of the Trinamool Congress of misusing public welfare schemes.
Leaders from many parties argued that the allegations reinforce concerns that government benefits intended for economically weaker sections are vulnerable to political interference and financial exploitation.
The controversy is particularly significant because the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is one of the flagship welfare programmes aimed at providing housing assistance to low-income families.
Any allegation of unauthorised deductions from such schemes tends to generate strong public reactions, especially among beneficiaries who rely heavily on government assistance.
TMC Yet to Issue Detailed Response
The Trinamool Congress has not issued a detailed statement regarding the arrest or the viral video.
In previous instances involving allegations of corruption, the party has rejected claims of institutional wrongdoing and accused political opponents of selectively targeting its leaders for political purposes.
Whether the party adopts a similar position in this case remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, the arrest has further intensified political tensions in the state at a time when the party is already facing one of its most challenging political phases following the recent Assembly election and internal organisational turmoil.
Investigation Continues
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the allegations surrounding the PM Awas Yojana funds.
Investigators are also likely to determine whether the allegations involve isolated misconduct or point to a larger network involved in the collection of illegal commissions.
As the inquiry progresses, the viral footage of Brahmananda Chakraborty allegedly being discovered beneath a pile of clothes has become a symbol of the controversy, adding a dramatic visual dimension to an issue that has long remained at the centre of political debate in West Bengal.
