Biz man allegedly attacked for refusing 50 lakh extortion; TMC councilor blamed

Despite strict instructions from Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee, the issue of extortion continues to plague certain areas under Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation. In a shocking incident in Ward 9, a businessman was brutally attacked after allegedly refusing to meet the extortion demands of a TMC councilor.

The businessman, who is constructing a multi-storey building on his property with valid permissions from the corporation, was allegedly approached by Councilor Samaresh Chakraborty and his associate Kishore Haldar for a payment of ₹50 lakh. According to the victim, he had already paid ₹3 lakh to appease the demands, but the councilor’s aides kept demanding more.

On Sunday, tensions escalated when the businessman refused further payment. The councilor’s supporters, allegedly led by Govinda Das, Shubhendu, and Babai, arrived at the site with a group of 30-40 individuals. When the businessman refused their demands, the group allegedly assaulted him, striking his head with a pistol in broad daylight.

The bloodied businessman sought help from the local police station, but to his dismay, the police neither registered a complaint nor arranged for his medical treatment. The lack of action has left the businessman and his family terrified for their safety.

The incident has sparked outrage among locals, with many questioning the effectiveness of the directives issued by TMC leaders. Just two days ago, senior TMC leader Firhad Hakim had delivered a stern warning against any form of extortion within the municipal corporation.

The businessman has alleged that Councilor Chakraborty wanted to take over his land and has been threatening him for months. Even after partial payment, the demands and harassment reportedly continued. This assault, he says, is the culmination of weeks of intimidation.