KOLKATA: The West Bengal police arrested a Malda strongman and a close associate of former Trinamool Congress minister and English Bazar Municipality chairman Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury on charges of extortion and illegal land grabbing.
The accused, Amardeep Saha, was arrested by Malda district police on Tuesday night and was produced before a Malda court on Wednesday, where police sought 14 days of custody for further investigation.
Saha, 43, a resident of Dakshin Baluchar in Malda Town, has been accused of several criminal activities. He was allegedly involved in occupying government land to open restaurants, collecting extortion from local businessmen and trapping poor people, particularly women living in slum areas, in high-interest loan arrangements.
A prominent local figure during the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, Saha had allegedly built considerable influence in the area. His activities had earned him comparisons with Sheikh Shahjahan, the former Trinamool strongman from Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas who was arrested in connection with several allegations.
According to the police, several complaints against Saha were filed at the English Bazar police station after the BJP came to power in West Bengal following the April-May Assembly elections. The police subsequently initiated action based on the complaints.
One of the complaints was filed on August 5 by Mampi Bhowmik, who allegedly became involved in Saha's high-interest lending business. Bhowmik submitted a written complaint at the English Bazar police station. Based on her complaint, the police registered a case against Saha on August 6 under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Following registration of the FIR, Saha allegedly went into hiding. The police said they were unable to locate him despite repeated efforts. However, residents of the Baluchar area had claimed that Saha continued to move around the locality. The police eventually arrested him from the area on Tuesday night.
Malda Superintendent of Police Anupam Singh confirmed the arrest. "Amardeep Saha was arrested on Tuesday night on the basis of specific allegations," he said.
While being taken into court, Saha denied the allegations and remarked, "Everything is politics."
Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury has not yet reacted publicly to Saha's arrest.
Meanwhile, English Bazar MLA and BJP leader Amlan Bhaduri said the arrest followed multiple allegations involving the occupation of government land, intimidation of residents and illegal high-interest lending.
Bhaduri said complaints had allegedly not been filed against Saha during the previous Trinamool government because people were afraid to speak against him. He added that the present government was committed to maintaining law and order and ensuring good governance.
--IANS
