KOLKATA: In a significant development, West Bengal Police have arrested three individuals, including event organizer Tanay Shastri, in connection with the alleged harassment of actress and former Trinamool Congress MP Mimi Chakraborty. The arrests followed a confrontation at Shastri’s residence during the police investigation into the incident that unfolded at a program in Bongaon, North 24 Parganas district.
The controversy erupted on Sunday night at Nayagopalganj in Bongaon, where Chakraborty was performing. She accused Shastri of storming the stage, abruptly halting her act, and behaving in an utterly disrespectful manner. ‘I was in the middle of my performance when the organizer suddenly appeared and ordered me to leave without completing my show. It was deeply humiliating,’ Chakraborty recounted in her complaint.
Refusing an invitation to visit Shastri’s home post-event—unlike other artists—may have triggered the altercation, according to her statement. She promptly lodged a written complaint via email to the local police station, sparking tension that has lingered since Monday.
On the other side, Shastri vehemently denied the allegations, labeling them baseless. He claimed Chakraborty arrived over an hour and a half late—11:45 PM instead of the scheduled 10:30 PM—yet was still accorded full respect and escorted to the stage. When police arrived at his home to probe further, Shastri and his two associates obstructed their efforts, leading to their immediate arrest on Thursday.
Currently busy promoting her latest release ‘Bhanupriya Bhuter Hotel’, Chakraborty has not issued an official statement on the matter. This incident highlights ongoing issues of artist safety at public events and raises questions about organizer accountability in West Bengal’s vibrant cultural scene. Police investigations continue as the case unfolds.
