BJP worker held in Jamuria for extortion after viral video
Times of India | 6 August 2026
Jamuria: Police have arrested a local BJP functionary in West Burdwan on charges of extorting money from sand-laden trucks, following a whistleblower complaint forwarded by state minister Agnimitra Paul.
The accused, identified as Rakesh Maji from Madantore Gram Panchayat was arrested on Aug 3 after a video went viral purportedly showing him collecting money from truckers. Acting on the clip, police registered a case under Sections 126(2), 308(2), 308(4), and 3(5) of the BNS. He was produced before a local court, which remanded him in police custody for three days.
In the video, he is heard speaking on the phone with a truck owner, claiming that the practice of collecting Rs 500 per overloaded vehicle predated the current administration and asserting that the local police station was aware of the collection.
“I received a complaint last night and forwarded it to the police. Action has been taken. This govt has zero tolerance for corruption. People should come forward and lodge complaints,” Paul said.