Within a day of one Trinamool Congress councillor’s arrest, another councillor from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has been apprehended on charges of corruption and extortion. The total count of arrested Trinamool councillors from KMC now stands at three, as confirmed by the police. Arijit Das Thakur, a councillor representing ward number 106 of KMC, was taken into custody by officers from Garfa police station on Tuesday night.
Allegations against Thakur included extorting money from local developers and businessmen through intimidation. A written complaint highlighted his attempts to extort funds by leveraging influence over construction and business affairs in the region. Following a preliminary investigation that substantiated the claims, the police summoned and subsequently arrested him after an extensive interrogation at Garfa police station.
Earlier on the same day, Sachin Singh, a Trinamool councillor from ward number 36 of KMC, was also arrested. Reports from Lalbazar (Kolkata Police headquarters) suggest allegations of extortion against Singh. During the arrest operation at Narkeldanga police station, local residents protested outside Singh’s residence, accusing him of threats and assaults on adversaries. Police sources further revealed that Singh was implicated in post-election violence in 2021 after securing victory in the KMC elections on a Trinamool Congress ticket.
In a separate incident, Sudip Polle, a Trinamool councillor from Ward No. 123 of Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Chairman of Borough No. 16, was arrested by Thakurpukur police on charges of extortion. The recent crackdown on illicit and criminal activities involving Trinamool Congress leaders in the state has led to a surge in arrests. Law enforcement agencies have intensified efforts to combat anti-social elements, particularly targeting Trinamool Congress officials accused of legal violations. Over the past month, numerous Trinamool councillors statewide have been detained on allegations of corruption and extortion.
