Bengal: Trinamool councillor arrested on corruption charges

Kolkata, June 2 (IANS) Police have arrested Trinamool councillor Sachin Singh of ward number 36 of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). According to Lalbazar (Kolkata Police headquarters) sources, there are allegations of extortion against the arrested councillor.

On Tuesday afternoon, police personnel from Narkeldanga police station went to arrest Singh. At that time, a section of local residents protested in front of his house, alleging that he was also involved in threatening and beating up opponents.

According to police sources, Singh was accused of post-poll violence in 2021 after the state Assembly election results were declared. That year, he won the KMC elections on a Trinamool Congress ticket for the first time.

Following his arrest, he will be produced before the Sealdah court in a case of extortion.

Incidentally, on May 23, the Thakurpukur police arrested Sudip Polle, a Trinamool councillor of ward number 123 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Chairman of Borough number 16, in an extortion case.

Earlier in the day, Tarun Chakraborty, a Trinamool councillor of ward 87 of Asansol Municipal Corporation in West Burdwan district, was arrested on charges of keeping government relief packages in his house.

According to the police, most of the packages given by the government to poor people in the area were found in the councillor’s house. All the relief items were recovered on Tuesday.

Police said that apart from hoarding relief packages, there are several other serious allegations against Chakraborty, including involvement in illegal sand trading, extortion, and extorting money in the name of providing financial assistance to the poor for housing projects.

Since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed a government in the state, there has been a crackdown on illegal and criminal activities of Trinamool Congress leaders. Police have been active in taking action against anti-social elements and often acting against Trinamool Congress leaders accused of breaking the law.

In the last month, a large number of Trinamool councillors have been arrested across the state on charges of corruption and extortion.

–IANS

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