Kolkata witnessed a major development on Wednesday as two councillors of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) from the Trinamool Congress, along with the party’s state vice-president and spokesperson, were arrested from different parts of the city. The arrests come amid a crackdown on alleged corruption and criminal activities involving political figures.
Arrest of Ward 106 Councillor Arijit Das Thakur
Arijit Das Thakur, also known as Rana, who represents Ward 106, was apprehended by police from the Garfa Police Station early on Wednesday. He faces charges of extortion, criminal intimidation, wrongful restraint, and criminal conspiracy. According to complaints, Thakur allegedly extorted over Rs 14 lakh from multiple developers in exchange for granting approval to building plans. Following a preliminary inquiry that reportedly found substance in the allegations, he was taken into custody after a prolonged interrogation.
While being taken to court from the Garfa Police Station, a crowd pelted Thakur with stones and eggs. A large police team had to form a security ring around him to safely escort him out of the area.
Arrest of State Vice-President Jay Prakash Majumdar
In a separate incident, Bidhannagar police arrested Trinamool state vice-president and spokesperson Jay Prakash Majumdar later in the day. He is accused of molesting an elderly woman and illegally taking over her Salt Lake house for over a decade. The complainant, an elderly woman, alleged that Majumdar, a former BJP member who later joined Trinamool, had been illegally occupying her property since 2012. Although she had rented the property to him, the tenancy agreement expired in 2015. Majumdar continued to live there illegally without paying rent.
The house owner claimed that Majumdar used his political influence to retain possession of the property. She stated that she was subjected to intimidation and threats when she attempted to reclaim her house. Police reported that on one occasion, when the woman visited the house to forcibly take possession, Majumdar pushed and hit her. She subsequently lodged a complaint at the Bidhannagar North Police Station. The woman told reporters that she had tried to get the house back, but Majumdar always used his political influence, first with the BJP and then with Trinamool, to occupy the property. Majumdar was arrested from the same Salt Lake house amid jeers of “chor chor” (thief) from residents.
Arrest of Ward 42 Councillor Mahesh Kumar Sharma
Mahesh Kumar Sharma, the KMC councillor of Ward 42, was arrested from his Cotton Street home in Posta around 9 pm on Wednesday. He faces charges of extortion, criminal conspiracy, and assaulting a public servant in a one-year-old case lodged at the Burrabazar Police Station.
Context of Arrests
Wednesday’s arrests mark the fourth time a KMC councillor has been taken into custody in the past ten days. This series of arrests indicates a broader crackdown on alleged corruption within the municipal corporation. The developments have sent shockwaves through the political landscape in Kolkata, with opposition parties demanding stricter action against corrupt officials.
About the Author: Tamaghna Banerjee is a reporter from Kolkata covering crime, aviation, human rights, and politics. He has a keen interest in human interest and rural reporting. He holds a postgraduate degree in journalism and mass communication and has 14 years of experience in journalism.
