Kolkata: Bappaditya Dasgupta, a Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) councillor from the Patuli area, was arrested on Saturday night on charges of extortion, criminal conspiracy, and criminal intimidation. Dasgupta is the sixth KMC councillor to be arrested in the past 13 days, highlighting a continuing crackdown on corruption within the civic body.
Arrest of Aide and Allegations
Earlier in the evening, Dasgupta's close aide and Trinamool youth functionary Sourav Ghosh was arrested on the same charges. Ghosh allegedly confessed to the police that he carried out the extortion activities at the behest of Dasgupta. This admission has strengthened the case against the councillor.
Public Outrage
As Dasgupta was escorted out of a police vehicle into the Patuli police station, a large group of residents gathered outside and shouted “chor, chor (thief)” at the Ward 101 councillor. The public display of anger reflects the community's frustration with the alleged corruption.
Extortion Details
According to police, Dasgupta and Ghosh allegedly extorted large sums of money—ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh—from traders in the area. They promised the victims shops in and around Patuli but never allotted any. The traders were left without the promised shops and lost their money.
The arrests come as part of a broader investigation into corruption within the KMC. Authorities have not ruled out further arrests as the probe continues. Dasgupta will be produced in court to face the charges.
