Howrah: Former Howrah Municipal Corporation councillor and former Mayor-in-Council member Shyamal Mitra has been arrested on charges of extortion and fraud. Shibpur police arrested him from a residential complex in New Town on Saturday. He was subsequently produced before a Howrah court, which remanded him to seven days of police custody. Police are now investigating the various allegations made against him.
After the court proceedings, when Mitra was being taken out and escorted towards a prison van, some alleged victims confronted him. The protesters allegedly assaulted him and threw eggs at him. Police personnel present at the spot intervened and took Mitra away from the area. The incident briefly created tension outside the court premises.
According to police, several serious allegations have been made against Mitra. These include alleged extortion running into crores of rupees, fraud, intimidation, attacks carried out with gang members and alleged encroachment on private and government land. Investigators suspect that some of these activities were linked to efforts to promote real estate-related business.
Another allegation before the investigators is that Mitra allegedly harassed workers and supporters associated with opposition political parties. Police are examining various complaints, documents and other available evidence to establish the circumstances behind the allegations. However, the charges against the arrested accused remain allegations and will be subject to the outcome of the investigation and judicial proceedings.
Mitra had represented Ward 26 of the Howrah Municipal Corporation and had also served as a Mayor-in-Council member. He was known as a close aide of former minister Arup Roy. Following a change in the state government, Mitra had allegedly remained away from the police for some time amid several complaints and allegations against him. Police subsequently gathered information about his possible whereabouts before arresting him from the New Town residential complex.
Investigators are now examining the alleged extortion money, land-related disputes, real estate activities and the possible involvement of other people who may have worked with Mitra. Police are also likely to record statements of complainants and witnesses as part of the investigation. Financial transactions and property-related documents connected to Mitra may also come under scrutiny.
During the period of police custody, investigators are expected to focus on establishing the links between the different allegations and determining the circumstances surrounding the alleged collection of money. Police will also try to ascertain whether other individuals played a role in the alleged activities.
The court will decide the further course of legal proceedings based on the investigation and subsequent hearings. Mitra’s response to the allegations has not yet been made public. Police said further legal action would be taken based on the evidence gathered during the investigation.
