Trinamool Congress Leaders Arrested for Extortion in West Bengal

In a significant development in West Bengal, three leaders from the Trinamool Congress have been arrested on charges of extortion. The police action follows complaints from local residents who alleged that the accused were demanding money in exchange for benefits under various government welfare schemes. The investigation revealed a network of coercion where individuals were forced to pay intermediaries to access essential services. Local BJP leaders have criticized the situation, calling for broader accountability beyond just the arrested individuals. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about corruption and the exploitation of vulnerable communities in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 29, 2026, 16:43 IST

Arrests Made in Extortion Case

Representational Image

Kolkata, June 29: Authorities have detained three local leaders from the Trinamool Congress on extortion charges in the Mandirbazar region of South 24 Parganas district, as confirmed by police on Monday.

The individuals arrested include Reshmi Piada from Krishnapur, her spouse Taimur Piada, and Abdur Razzak Halder. They are scheduled to appear before the Diamond Harbour sub-divisional court, where police will request their custody for further investigation.

A senior official from the Sundarban Police District stated, "The arrests occurred last night following complaints from local residents. An inquiry is ongoing, and the accused will be presented in court. We intend to seek police custody to advance the investigation."

According to police reports, these Trinamool Congress leaders allegedly extorted money from residents by promising them access to various government welfare programs in the Krishnapur gram panchayat area.

Investigators claim that individuals were coerced into paying through intermediaries to receive benefits from schemes related to housing, pensions for the elderly, road construction, and drinking water initiatives.

Numerous residents have reported that without making payments, it was nearly impossible to have their names included in government projects or to initiate work.

A formal complaint against the trio was filed last week, prompting officers from the Mandirbazar police station to initiate an investigation. During this inquiry, it was revealed that Reshmi Piada, her husband Taimur, and Trinamool leader Abdur Razzak Halder were deeply involved in the alleged extortion scheme.

Police allege that the trio amassed significant amounts of money from various individuals by guaranteeing them benefits under government initiatives. Investigators also indicated that the funds collected were funneled through a structured network at different levels. The three were apprehended at their residences on Sunday night.

In response to the arrests, local BJP leader Kaushik Purkait remarked, "This is not an isolated case. Organized theft has been ongoing for a long time under the guise of 'cut money', depriving ordinary citizens of their rightful benefits. Many impoverished families were compelled to part with their hard-earned money in hopes of receiving government aid."

He further stated, "We have consistently raised concerns with the administration regarding this corruption. The police have finally been forced to take action. However, merely arresting a few lower-level leaders is insufficient. Those who orchestrated this network and profited from the cut money must also face justice."