Trinamool Councillor Arrested in Extortion Case in Kolkata
Kolkata: Ranjan Poddar, a Trinamool Congress councillor and borough chairman of the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC), was arrested on Wednesday in connection with alleged extortion activities. This arrest marks the latest development in a widening crackdown on alleged rackets involving Trinamool functionaries in Bidhannagar.
Poddar, who represents BMC ward 34, is known to be a close associate of former Bidhannagar MLA Sujit Bose. Bose was recently arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged municipal recruitment scam.
According to sources, several hawkers, transporters, and local businessmen in Salt Lake lodged complaints accusing Poddar of extortion. Acting on these allegations, police detained him for questioning earlier in the day before formally placing him under arrest.
In a related development, Rana Haldar, said to be an associate of Poddar, was also arrested on Wednesday on similar allegations. Separate extortion complaints further led to the arrest of local Trinamool functionaries Soumik Das, alias Raja, and Bijoy Rajbanshi over alleged extortion activities.
These arrests are part of a broader investigation into extortion rackets allegedly run by Trinamool leaders in the Bidhannagar area. The police have intensified their crackdown following multiple complaints from local businesses and residents.
The arrests have sent shockwaves through the local political landscape, with opposition parties calling for a thorough investigation. The Trinamool Congress has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
