Former TMC Leader Gopal Tiwari Arrested Amid Public Flogging Controversy

Former TMC leader Gopal Tiwari was arrested in West Bengal's Purba Bardhaman district for allegedly assaulting a woman. A viral video showed Tiwari in a scuffle. He denies current TMC affiliation, while disputes over land are cited as the cause. Tiwari was released on bail shortly after his arrest.

Amid a series of public floggings, police arrested former TMC leader Gopal Tiwari from West Bengal's Purba Bardhaman district on charges of assaulting a woman.

A purported viral video allegedly showed Tiwari slapping a woman and engaging in a scuffle. However, PTI couldn't verify its authenticity.

Tiwari, previously the general secretary of TMC's Kalna town, was arrested Saturday night and bailed Sunday. Despite claims he still holds a local TMC position, the party denies any affiliation with him. The incident reportedly stemmed from a land dispute where Tiwari allegedly assaulted the complainant's mother-in-law. ''He repeatedly slapped me,'' she stated.

Tiwari countered, saying he legally acquired the land, accusing the complainant's family of damaging his boundary wall, and claimed he was assaulted when addressing the issue. District TMC leader Rabindranath Chatterjee affirmed Tiwari's disassociation from the party, asserting the law should take its course. Senior BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya accused the TMC of patronising criminal elements.

(With inputs from agencies.)