TMC councillor arrested on extortion charges in Baranagar
The Statesman | 14 May 2026
A Trinamul Congress councillor of Baranagar Municipality was arrested by Barrackpore police on Wednesday on charges of extortion, criminal intimidation and forcibly interfering in a tenancy dispute.
The arrested councillor, Shantanu Majumdar, popularly known as “Mejo”, represents Ward No. 14 of the Baranagar Municipality. According to police sources, a complaint was lodged against Majumdar at the local police station on Tuesday by a resident of Baranagar, identified as Rita Ray. In her complaint, Ray alleged that the councillor had repeatedly taken money from her on the pretext of resolving a dispute involving tenants residing in her flat. The complainant alleged that between 2024 and 2026, Majumdar collected nearly Rs 70,000 from her in several instalments. She further accused the councillor of attempting to forcibly place tenants in the flat against her wishes. Acting on the complaint, Barrackpore police initiated an investigation and arrested the councillor within 24 hours of the FIR being lodged.
Police said Majumdar has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to extortion, criminal trespass, intimidation and common intention. The sections invoked against him include BNS Sections 333, 308(5), 351(3) and 3(5). Investigators are also examining whether similar allegations had been raised against the councillor in the past. Police sources indicated that statements of local residents and other persons connected to the tenancy dispute are being recorded as part of the probe.
The arrest has triggered political reactions in the area, with opposition parties targeting the ruling Trinamul Congress over allegations of corruption and intimidation involving local representatives. However, no official statement had been issued by the Trinamul Congress leadership till Wednesday evening regarding the arrest of the councillor.
Residents in the locality claimed that disputes related to tenancy and property matters had become increasingly sensitive in several municipal areas, often leading to allegations of political interference. Police officials said the accused would be produced before a court on Thursday and further investigation into the case is underway.
The Kalna police arrested an elected panchayat member late Tuesday night after recovering a firearm from his residence at Kharinan Paschimpara under Nandai Gram Panchayat, Kalna-I block.
The accused, Mujibar Rahman Mondal alias Kochi, is a Trinamul Congress panchayat member, police said. Acting on information, police raided his house and seized the weapon. A case has been registered under the Arms Act.
He was produced before the Kalna Sub-Divisional Court on Wednesday. The court remanded him to police custody till Saturday.