Kolkata, July 23: West Bengal police have arrested an official from the Howrah Municipal Corporation and an NGO officer for allegedly extorting millions from hotel owners, private hospital operators, and real estate businessmen in Howrah.
The Golabari police also apprehended the head of the NGO, who was reportedly assisting the municipal officer in the extortion scheme. Authorities are questioning both suspects separately and investigating whether any other officials from the municipal corporation were involved.
According to police, Ashish Kapoor, the owner of two prominent hotels located near Howrah Station, filed a complaint on July 20 against the municipal law officer and his NGO associate.
Kapoor reported that on July 18, NGO operator Ramesh Jaiswal approached him, claiming that his hotel buildings were illegal and that the municipal corporation could demolish them.
Jaiswal allegedly stated that if Kapoor paid ₹50 lakhs through the municipal law officer Sudarshan Jaiswal, the matter would be resolved, and no action would be taken.
Kapoor alleged that when he refused to pay, Jaiswal returned the next day and threatened him with death. Following this, Kapoor lodged a complaint on July 20, prompting police action that led to the arrest of both suspects on Wednesday.
Investigators suspect that the duo has been running a similar extortion racket for nearly ten years.
Police stated that the suspects allegedly intimidated hotel owners, private hospital operators, and real estate businessmen by threatening them with municipal action for illegal constructions or other alleged irregularities. They demanded hefty sums in exchange for halting any such actions.
Currently, police are interrogating both suspects and examining whether any other officials from the Howrah Municipal Corporation were part of this alleged extortion network.
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