Here’s a story that sounds like it’s straight out of a political thriller—only, it’s not fiction. It actually happened. Back in 2016, just as West Bengal was gearing up for elections, a bombshell video surfaced. In it, some of the most well-known faces from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) were allegedly seen accepting stacks of cash from a man pretending to be a businessman. That man? He was a journalist. And this wasn’t just some random hidden camera stuff—this was years in the making.
People were stunned. It wasn’t just some vague corruption allegation. There were actual videos. Faces, voices, money, all caught on tape. This was the Narada sting operation, and it turned into one of the biggest political controversies Bengal had seen in a long time.
How It All Started
A journalist named Mathew Samuel, working with Tehelka back then, set the whole thing up. He created a fake company, went undercover as a businessman, and over a couple of years, managed to get close to several TMC leaders. His pitch was simple—he wanted help setting up his “business” in Bengal, and in return, he was willing to offer “support” (read: bribes). And all of this? He recorded it secretly.
The sting operation wasn't aired by Tehelka eventually, so Samuel launched his own platform, Narada News, and dropped the footage right before the 2016 assembly elections. The timing couldn’t have been more dramatic.
Who Were the Key Figures in the Narada Sting?
The videos featured some pretty big names from the TMC. Here’s who showed up:
- Suvendu Adhikari (a TMC heavyweight at the time, now a BJP leader)
- Sovan Chatterjee (ex-Kolkata Mayor)
- Firhad Hakim (current Mayor of Kolkata)
- Subrata Mukherjee (senior leader and minister, now deceased)
- Madan Mitra (former Transport Minister)
- Mukul Roy (who jumped to BJP, then returned to TMC)
- And even a senior police officer, SMH Mirza, was caught on camera accepting money.
They were all seen either taking cash or having conversations about it. Everyone, of course, denied wrongdoing. Some said it was a setup. Others claimed the videos were edited or lacked context. But it was hard to ignore what people were literally watching with their own eyes.
What Happened After the Videos Went Public
The footage dropped like a bomb just before the 2016 state elections. You’d think that would completely shake up the results, right? But here’s the twist: TMC won. And not just by a little—they won big. The party dismissed the whole sting as a politically motivated move, and voters didn’t seem swayed enough to change their minds at the polls.
Still, the sting stuck around. The media kept looping it. Opposition leaders wouldn't let go. And slowly, the courts got involved.
CBI Steps In, Arrests Follow
After several Public Interest Litigations (PILs) were filed, the Calcutta High Court asked the CBI to look into it. That was in 2017. The agency registered a case and started questioning the leaders involved.
Fast forward to May 2021, just after TMC swept another election. The CBI arrested four big names from the party: Firhad Hakim, Madan Mitra, Subrata Mukherjee, and Sovan Chatterjee.
And guess what? Mamata Banerjee herself showed up at the CBI office, furious over the arrests. She stayed there for hours, demanding their release. It was chaos outside—supporters gathered, protests broke out, and things got heated. Eventually, due to COVID and all the tension, the court ordered house arrest instead of jail.
Mamata Banerjee's Stand on the Sting
Mamata was clear. According to her, this entire case was central government-sponsored harassment. She accused the BJP-led Centre of using agencies like the CBI and ED to target her party. Her message to her supporters was: “This isn’t about corruption. It’s about crushing Bengal’s voice.”
Whether you agreed with her or not, it worked politically. Her base rallied behind her. And despite everything, TMC’s popularity didn’t take a hit. If anything, Mamata looked even more defiant.
Legal Status? Still Dragging On…
Here’s the thing. Even though this case made so much noise, there’s still no final verdict. The CBI has filed chargesheets, and the Enforcement Directorate is chasing the money laundering angle, but the case just keeps moving at a snail’s pace.
Most of the accused are out on bail. Some have changed political parties (a few more than once). And public interest? Well, it’s kind of faded unless something new pops up.
But Let’s Talk About Ethics for a Second
This sting stirred more than just political drama. It got people talking about media ethics too. On one hand, sure—it exposed something shady. But on the other hand, can a journalist go around offering bribes just to film someone taking it? Is that journalism or just another kind of setup?
Some folks praised it, called it brave. Others said it was entrapment. There's still no clear answer. But it did make the media ask some tough questions about how far is too far in investigative reporting.
Bigger Picture: Why It Still Matters
Even though the Narada case hasn’t been in the headlines every day, it hasn’t gone away either. It’s become a symbol of something deeper—a reminder of how power works, how slow justice can be, and how, even with video proof, accountability is rare.
Also, it messed with Bengal politics in ways we’re still seeing. Some leaders from those videos are now part of rival parties. Some quit politics altogether. But the case keeps haunting them—especially during elections.
