West Bengal Police Arrests TMC Leader Iftikhar Ahmed in Extortion Case

Kolkata, July 2: The police in East Bardhaman district of West Bengal have arrested influential Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Iftikhar Ahmed, also known as Pappu, in connection with multiple criminal cases. The charges include extortion using weapons and threats to life.

Police reported that Ahmed was apprehended on Wednesday in the Viringi area of Durgapur, located in the neighboring West Bardhaman district. He is the husband of Shefali Begum, a former councilor of Bardhaman Municipality, who resigned from her position last month.

When Iftikhar Ahmed was presented in the Bardhaman District Court on Thursday, the police sought a 10-day custody for a detailed investigation. However, the court granted only three days of police custody.

According to police, Ahmed has been using his political connections and influence to extort money from individuals and businesses in the Bardhaman Station and Bardhaman city areas for a long time.

He allegedly employed illegal weapons to intimidate opponents and create a climate of fear in the region. The investigation includes information on several cases registered against him from 2019 to 2026. Police claim that during questioning, he provided significant information.

Reports indicate that he exploited his close ties with former TMC MLA Khokan Das from the Bardhaman South constituency to extort substantial amounts of money. It has also come to light that this money was invested in various parts of the state.

Additionally, police stated that the arrested TMC leader has assured cooperation in the investigation to uncover the extortion network and illegal weapons.

This case began with a written complaint filed on May 26 of this year. The complainant, Shivshankar Chaudhary, alleged that after refusing to pay the extortion amount, his shop near Bardhaman Railway Station was attacked and vandalized.

He was threatened at gunpoint, and when he attempted to resist, he was assaulted along with his wife. Subsequently, the accused reportedly broke into their home and stole cash and gold jewelry.