Kolkata: Sudip Polley, a long-time councillor from Behala and chairman of Borough 16 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), is facing attempt-to-murder charges. Police informed a local court on Sunday that Polley, the ward 123 councillor, allegedly demanded Rs 5 lakh from a trader and assaulted him with the intention to murder when he refused to comply. He has been sent to police custody until May 29.
Details of the Case
Alipore Police Court public prosecutor Sourin Ghosal argued that Polley is an influential person with five cases of extortion and other criminal charges against him, three registered at Thakurpukur Police Station and two at Haridevpur Police Station. "We sought police custody to ascertain how and where he parked the extortion money," Ghosal said.
According to police records, the complaint alleges that on or before March 2006, the accused demanded Rs 5 lakh from Lalkamal Chandra (33), a resident of Vidyasagar Colony, for allowing him to continue his business. It is further alleged that when Chandra failed to pay, Polley and his associates assaulted him on James Long Sarani and damaged his shop. Chandra stated that the accused assaulted him with bamboo sticks with the intention to murder him. Consequently, Section 308(4)/109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been added to the existing sections of law, police said.
Tension at Court
Earlier, there was tension at Alipore court when Polley was being produced. On Sunday, shoes and eggs were reportedly thrown at the councillor, and he was called a "thief." Police increased their presence in large numbers to manage the situation.
Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned the arrest, stating, "Sudip Polley organizes the Barisha Club puja and various festivals in Behala. He assisted the Pahelgaon victim's family. Now he has been arrested. Where is the proof?"
