Major Controversies Surrounding Suvendu Adhikari: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Suvendu Adhikari.

Suvendu Adhikari is an Indian politician. He currently serves as the Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal and leads the state's Bharatiya Janata Party unit, positions he has held since May 2021. Before joining BJP, he was associated with All India Trinamool Congress and served as a minister in the West Bengal government from 2016 to 2020. Adhikari has been elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Nandigram (2016, 2021) and South Contai (2005). He also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) representing Tamluk in 2009 and 2014.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2007: Spearheaded Anti-Land-Acquisition Movement

In 2007, Suvendu Adhikari spearheaded the anti-land-acquisition movement in Nandigram, leading the Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee against the Left Front government's plan to acquire land for a special economic zone. The state CID alleged that Adhikari had supplied arms to the Maoists to wage an armed movement against the state government.

April 2013: Saradha Group Ponzi Scheme Collapse

In April 2013, the Saradha Group's Ponzi scheme collapsed, resulting in lakhs of investors being defrauded of an estimated ₹25,000 crore.

September 2014: Interrogated by CBI

On 24 September 2014, Suvendu Adhikari was interrogated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding his alleged collusion in providing potential benefits to the Saradha Group.

2014: Narada sting operation

In 2014, Suvendu Adhikari was allegedly filmed accepting cash bribes in the Narada sting operation conducted by Mathew Samuel, leading to investigations by the CBI and ED. Adhikari denied the allegations.

December 2020: Accusations of Extortion by Sudipta Sen

In December 2020, Sudipta Sen, the arrested chairman of the Saradha Group, filed a petition alleging that Suvendu Adhikari had extorted money from him and used his influence to promote the scheme.

May 2021: Filed Writ Petition on Post-Election Violence

In May 2021, following the declaration of the West Bengal Assembly election results on 2 May 2021, Suvendu Adhikari compiled documentation of the post-election violence and filed a writ petition in the Calcutta High Court, annexing evidence of targeted attacks, property destruction, and displacement.

July 2021: High Court Directive on Violence Registration

In July 2021, amid the government's denial of retaliatory violence against opposition supporters, the High Court issued a mandatory directive compelling the state to register cases for all reported incidents and to cooperate with the National Human Rights Commission's investigation, based on evidence submitted by Adhikari.

2021: Narada sting operation probe gains renewed attention

In 2021, after Adhikari's defection to the BJP, the Narada sting operation probe gained renewed attention due to political implications and ongoing legal proceedings. The case remained under investigation.

June 2022: TMC Demanded Arrest

In June 2022, the TMC demanded the arrest of Suvendu Adhikari in connection to the Saradha scam allegations.

March 2023: Questioned CBI's Reluctance in Sarada Case

In March 2023, Suvendu Adhikari wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi questioning the CBI's reluctance to take action against high-placed individuals accused in the decade-old Sarada case.

July 2023: Offered Evidence in Sarada Scam Investigation

In July 2023, Suvendu Adhikari offered to supply the Central Bureau of Investigation with evidence concerning Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's involvement in the Sarada scam.

2023: Adhikari links Ram Navami riots to vote-bank considerations

In 2023, Suvendu Adhikari attributed the deaths and arrests resulting from the Ram Navami procession riots to lapses in law enforcement driven by vote-bank considerations.

April 2024: Highlighted Recoveries Made by CBI

In April 2024, Suvendu Adhikari highlighted recoveries made by the CBI in TMC-related cases, such as the Sandeshkhali raid which uncovered weaponry linked to the assault on ED staff, presenting these as evidence of systematic protection by the ruling party.

November 2024: Organized Protests Near the India-Bangladesh Border

In November 2024, specifically on 12 November 2024, Suvendu Adhikari organized protests near the India-Bangladesh border.

November 2024: Complaint filed against Adhikari for violating Model Code of Conduct

In November 2024, the Trinamool Congress filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India, alleging that Suvendu Adhikari violated the Model Code of Conduct by making communal remarks in speeches before the bypolls, promoting division along religious lines.

December 2024: Rallies on Border Security and Attacks on Hindus

In December 2024, specifically on 5 December 2024, Suvendu Adhikari stated in his rallies that he would threaten to impose trade sanctions if attacks on Hindus continue.

2024: Warned of Hindu Refugees Fleeing to West Bengal

During the 2024 unrest in Bangladesh, Suvendu Adhikari warned of up to 1 crore Hindu refugees fleeing to West Bengal, called for the state to be prepared, and cited the CAA's provisions for non-Muslim refugees who entered from neighbouring countries before 31 December 2014.

March 2025: Adhikari targets Muslim TMC MLAs

In March 2025, Suvendu Adhikari made comments targeting Muslim TMC MLAs, leading to condemnation in the Legislative Assembly.

April 2025: Adhikari comments on communal violence in Murshidabad

In April 2025, Suvendu Adhikari claimed that targeted attacks and destruction of property displaced over 400 Hindus from their homes during clashes over a Waqf property dispute in Murshidabad district. He attributed the incident to lapses in law enforcement.

July 2025: Adhikari advises against travelling to Muslim-majority areas

In July 2025, following Mamata Banerjee's call for a visit to Jammu & Kashmir, Suvendu Adhikari advised against travelling to Muslim-majority areas, leading to allegations of inciting fear and communal disharmony.

October 2025: Saradha Investigation Status

As of October 2025, no charges against Suvendu Adhikari have been proven in the Saradha investigation, and the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are continuing their investigations amid significant delays in justice for the victims.

October 2025: Assured Indian Muslims Regarding Voter List Revision

On 17 October 2025, Suvendu Adhikari assured Indian Muslims that the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list would only target Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators, not any valid citizens, and that the SIR is part of an effort to purify the electoral rolls without affecting the native population.

October 2025: Advocated Stricter Measures Against Illegal Infiltration

On 25 October 2025, Suvendu Adhikari advocated for stricter measures against illegal infiltration in West Bengal, emphasizing the distinction between Indian Muslims and foreign infiltrators like Rohingya Muslims. He accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of assisting in their settlement with fake documents, claiming they have facilitated the inclusion of infiltrators in the voter lists.

December 2025: Controversial statements targeting Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commission in Kolkata

In December 2025, Suvendu Adhikari made a series of controversial statements targeting Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, including threats and comparisons to military campaigns, which drew sharp criticism and accusations of communal polarization.