Suvendu Adhikari Files ₹100 Crore Defamation Case Against Mamata Banerjee Ahead of Bengal Polls

In a major political and legal escalation in West Bengal, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has formally filed a ₹100 crore defamation lawsuit against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The case was lodged on January 16, 2026, in Kolkata’s Alipore Court, following controversial public remarks made by the Chief Minister earlier this month.

The legal action stems from speeches delivered by Mamata Banerjee on January 8 and 9, 2026, in which she allegedly linked Adhikari and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to an illegal coal smuggling network.

Legal Move After No Response to Notice

In a social media post, Adhikari said the lawsuit was filed in the court of the Civil Judge (Senior Division) at Alipore after Banerjee failed to respond to a defamation notice sent to her. Sharing details of the case registration, the BJP leader accused the Chief Minister of making “false and malicious” claims.

Posting on X, Adhikari wrote that while he stands by his words, Banerjee attempts to mislead the public by blurring issues and individuals. He said her silence on the legal notice regarding what he called fabricated allegations in the alleged coal scam would not help her evade accountability. He added that he had fulfilled his promise to take the matter to court over what he described as a “deceptive conspiracy.”

High-Stakes Political Timing

The timing of the lawsuit is politically significant, as West Bengal gears up for the 2026 Assembly elections. The legal clash follows an intense week marked by heightened tensions, including Enforcement Directorate raids on the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC—an action that Mamata Banerjee strongly opposed.

With election season approaching, the courtroom battle is expected to further sharpen the political divide in the state, adding a legal dimension to an already charged political atmosphere.