Kolkata: Prabodh Sarkar, Chairman of Ashoknagar-Kalyangarh Municipality in North 24 Parganas, was arrested on Saturday on charges of burning several municipal records and crucial documents stockpiled at his residence. Investigators suspect the destruction was aimed at concealing evidence related to alleged misappropriation of municipal funds. The arrest comes amid an ongoing probe into financial irregularities within the municipality.
Incident Details
According to a senior official of the Barasat district police, Sarkar was arrested after allegations surfaced that important official documents were being burned at his residence under the cover of darkness on Saturday night.
Local sources reported that residents became suspicious after noticing a strong smell of burning paper emanating from Sarkar's house. The matter was immediately reported to local BJP functionaries, prompting party workers and supporters to rush to the spot. Police from Ashoknagar Police Station also arrived shortly thereafter.
Police Entry and Discovery
An officer stated that despite repeated knocking and calls, no one responded from inside the house for a considerable period. Police eventually entered the premises by scaling the boundary wall. Sarkar and his wife later came out and reportedly informed officers that only dry coconut and betel nut leaves had been burned in the garden.
However, complainants claimed that when police reached the spot, several important municipal documents were allegedly up in flames. Police are said to have recovered and seized a number of burnt and partially burnt documents from the site.
Protests and Legal Proceedings
As the news spread, locals and BJP supporters staged protests, prompting deployment of a large police force. Sarkar was initially detained and questioned. Based on preliminary findings and a formal complaint, police subsequently arrested him.
As the chairman was being taken to Barasat court, an agitated crowd hurled eggs at him and raised 'chor-chor' slogans. Police managed to shield him and escort him safely into the court premises. He was produced before a Barasat court on Saturday afternoon and remanded in police custody for six days.
Political Reaction
Local BJP leader Rinki Sur said, "Although he claimed that he was burning leaves, burnt municipal documents were recovered from the garden."
