West Bengal MLA Nikhil Ranjan Dey on Friday accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of trying to tarnish the BJP’s name after three men allegedly attempting to extort money by falsely claiming to represent TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee were arrested from the MLA hostel in Kolkata on Wednesday night. One of the accused was arrested from a room allegedly booked via Dey.

“I do not know anyone named S K Imran and when I do not know anyone by that name, why will I book the room?” Dey, the BJP MLA from Coochbehar, told the media on Friday.

Junedul Haque Chowdhury, Subhadip Malik and Taslim Sheikh were arrested from the MLA hostel on Kid Street. According to police sources, Room No 417 from where the accused were arrested was booked under Imran’s name. However, the mobile number given during booking was Chowdhury’s.

Police sources said that the booking register of the MLA hostel has been seized and further documents have been sought from the hostel. If required, Dey will also be called in for questioning, sources added.

“The room booking has to be done from my letter pad. The Trinamool Congress always thinks of how to tarnish the name of BJP MLAs. This is a conspiracy,” Dey said.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee told the media, “A report has been sought from the superintendent of the hostel and we have also asked for details of the person in whose name the room was booked. The police are investigating the matter… the law will take its own course.”

The Kolkata police arrested the three men for allegedly attempting to extort Rs 5 lakh from Kalna Municipality chairman Ananda Dutta by claiming to represent Banerjee. The caller alleged there were complaints of financial irregularities against Dutta and threatened police action unless the money was paid.