TMC leader accused of taking ₹8,000 ‘cut money’ from Banglar Bari funds in Kharagpur

Allegations of “cut money” collection have surfaced from Debra in West Midnapore district, where a daily wage labourer has accused a local Trinamool Congress leader of forcibly taking ₹8,000 from his housing scheme funds. The administration has confirmed receipt of a written complaint and assured an investigation into the matter.

According to administrative sources, ₹60,000 was recently credited to the bank account of Ilyas Khan, a resident of Islampur under Dua-Ek Gram Panchayat in Debra Block, as the first installment under the ‘Banglar Bari’ housing scheme. Soon after the amount was deposited, Sheikh Sayarul Ali — husband of local Gram Panchayat member Rehena Bibi and co-president of the Debra Block Youth Trinamool Congress — allegedly visited Khan’s residence.

Khan has alleged that Ali collected ₹8,000 in three installments by intimidating him and warning that failure to pay would result in the next installment not being released. He further claimed that other beneficiaries were also pressured to part with money. Disturbed by repeated demands, Khan lodged a written complaint at the Block Development Officer’s office on Friday.

Debra BDO Priyabrata Rarhi said the complaint has been received and the matter will be investigated, with appropriate action to follow based on findings. Sheikh Sayarul Ali, however, denied the allegations, terming them baseless and politically motivated. He claimed that he merely advised beneficiaries to begin construction only after obtaining necessary Panchayat permissions.

The issue triggered political reactions in the Ghatal organisational district. BJP district president Tanmay Das alleged that such “cut money” practices are not new, while Trinamool district president Ajit Maity said strict action would be taken if the complaint is found to be true and that no one would be spared.