TMC-run Baduria Municipality chairman held after police recover relief materials and ₹80 lakh

Dipankar Bhattacharya, chairman of the Trinamool-run Baduria Municipality, was arrested on Monday night on allegations of financial embezzlement, theft of government relief materials and destruction of official evidence. Police arrested him after conducting raids at multiple locations following allegations that large quantities of government tarpaulins and official documents were removed from premises linked to him. He is scheduled to be produced before the Basirhat Sub-Divisional Court on Tuesday.

According to police and local allegations, nearly 4,000 government tarpaulins, sticks and other relief materials were recovered from a party office and an isolated garden house located beside Bhattacharya’s residence in Ward No. 12 of Baduria Municipality. Residents alleged that vans were used late on Sunday night to transport government materials from the party office. Local people also claimed that bundles of official documents were burned in front of the office. After receiving information, officers from Baduria Police Station reached the area, following which the accused allegedly fled the spot.

Investigators later conducted raids at additional locations allegedly connected to the municipal chairman. During one such operation, police reportedly recovered nearly ₹80 lakh in cash along with more government-issued tarpaulins from a separate hideout. Police sources said another raid was then carried out based on intelligence inputs, after which Dipankar Bhattacharya was arrested late on Monday night after remaining absconding for nearly a day.

Local residents alleged that relief materials meant for public distribution were being stockpiled instead of being supplied to beneficiaries. Allegations were also made that the materials were intended to be sold outside at higher prices. Residents further claimed that Bhattacharya and associates shifted large quantities of tarpaulins and other materials under the cover of darkness before police intervention. Two written complaints were later lodged at Baduria Police Station regarding the incident.

Police are now investigating the source of the recovered cash, the ownership and intended use of the relief materials, and whether additional individuals were involved in the alleged racket. Investigators are also examining allegations related to the burning of official documents and the reported use of municipal premises linked to the chairman. The arrested municipal chairman is currently being questioned in police custody regarding the recovered materials and financial transactions.