Two Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders in West Bengal’s East Burdwan district have been arrested on charges of extortion, corruption, and criminal intimidation, as confirmed by the police on Sunday. The arrested leaders, identified as Sumit Sharma and Syed Kalimuddin alias Bappa, had been absconding and are set to appear before a court. Sumit, a councillor of Ward No. 1 of Burdwan Municipality, is closely associated with former Trinamool MLA Khokan Das, who was previously arrested in a related case.
Sumit, accused of corruption, extortion, and making threats, had been missing since the announcement of the Assembly election results. Recently, the police received information about his return to his residence in the Lakshmipur Math area of Burdwan, leading to his arrest following a raid at his house. Another arrested leader, Syed Kalimuddin alias Bappa, the Trinamool block president in the Raina area, was apprehended near National Highway-19 in the Nababhat area based on specific inputs late Saturday night.
Both leaders face various charges, including extortion. Sumit Sharma allegedly extorted money from local residents and traders in Burdwan, collecting illegal commissions known as “cut money” in exchange for aiding access to government schemes. Similarly, Syed Kalimuddin is accused of extracting illegal commissions and assaulting individuals who did not comply with the demanded cut money. Police are investigating all complaints against the two leaders, with multiple cases registered across the state against former ruling party members post-Assembly elections, involving allegations of extortion, threats, assault, illegal land acquisition, embezzlement of government funds, and hoarding of relief materials.
Authorities have stated that ongoing investigations may lead to further arrests, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari warning that all individuals involved in such crimes will be brought to justice.
