A real estate businessman and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader from Beleghata area in Kolkata was arrested on Saturday for allegedly threatening and assaulting a man and his family members over a property dispute, police said.
According to police, Raju Naskar (51) was arrested from EM Bypass around 5.30pm while he was trying to leave the city.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar said, “A complaint had been filed against Raju Naskar. The complainant alleged physical assault, threats, and that members of his family were also attacked. A case has been registered and an investigation is underway. He was arrested on Saturday afternoon from Abhisikta Crossing.”
The complainant, Sukomal Debnath, alleged that his family has been living as tenants in a house in Beleghata for the last 75 years. On February 4, Naskar, along with 50-60 of his associates stormed into his house and asked them to vacate the property for some construction purpose.
“Naskar wanted to take some measurements. However, when I asked for documents proving Naskar’s ownership of the property, he said: ‘I represent the court, I represent the police’. I was then taken to the TMC leader’s office and beaten up. My family members were also assaulted,” Debnath said.
Debnath filed a police complaint against Naskar and his associates at Beleghata Police Station on February 5. Based on the complaint, Naskar was arrested and he will be produced in the court on Sunday, police said.
Naskar has, however, denied the allegations, claiming he was being framed and had no link to the matter.
“I don’t know anything. I have heard there is some tenant-related dispute. I live in the area and am engaged in social work. People come to me out of affection. While trying to help someone, others may feel wronged. I do not even know the person who is making these allegations,” Naskar said.
Meanwhile, TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh said the incident has no political connection.
“I have heard it is a dispute over a house, a local issue. Police have acted based on the complaints received,” Ghosh said.
This is not the first time that Naskar’s name has surfaced in a controversy. On April 30, 2023, factional clashes between local TMC leaders, including councillor Alokananda Das, and Raju Naskar’s group came to light in Beleghata, where he was accused of opening fire in the presence of police. Seven days later, Naskar and four others were arrested by Kolkata Police’s Anti-Rowdy Squad (ARS) of Lalbazar from a resort in Gopalpur, Odisha.