Five persons nabbed on extortion charges

Bidhannagar police arrested five persons on charges of extortion. These fresh arrests have been made on Tuesday after five accused were booked on Monday. Police have learnt, the accused have been extorting money from Baguiati, Rajarhat-New Town and Bidhannagar area and had threatened several businessmen.

“These accused have been grilled thoroughly. This could unearth about several extortion-rackets playing in this area,” said an investigating officer of Bidhannagar police. Members of Jagadish sporting club, had allegedly demanded extortion from a developer in Rajarhat area a few days ago. On Tuesday, Police have arrested Babu Sil, the secretary of the club on the extortion charge.

Most of the members of the club, which was situated near the apartment of Rajarhat’s Sourav Ganguly Avenue, are still at large. Police earlier arrested two members of this club on Monday.

Romesh Mondal, another extortionist has been arrested on Monday from Salt Lake’s Sector V. Two other, Arif Ali and Naushad Ali have also been arrested on Monday in a different case.

Gaya Manoj, a local extortionist was arrested on Tuesday evening with a fire arms from Lake Town area. “All these accused will be produced before the court on Wednesday,” said the officer.

Last week, Anindya Chatterjee, the Councillor of Ward 41 of Bidhannagar Municipality, was arrested on charges of demanding extortion of Rs 12 lakh from a resident of BD block for allowing him to undertake extension work of his house.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had given a clear message that corruption by anyone of the party will not be tolerated after coming to power for the second term, but the move of clipping wings of errant party leaders had started much ahead when they got arrested for alleged involvement in “illegal” activities.