West Bengal, 26 May (H.S.): Dipankar Bhattacharya, chairman of Baduria Municipality in North 24 Parganas district, was arrested by the police on Monday night on charges of financial irregularities and misuse of government materials. He was produced before the Basirhat sub-divisional court on Tuesday.

According to reports, a large number of government tarpaulins and partially burnt documents were recovered on Sunday night from a party office and a deserted garden house located near the residence of Dipankar Bhattacharya in Ward No. 12 of Baduria Municipality.

Allegations have also surfaced that the keys to a municipal computer training centre located beside the chairman’s residence remained in his possession. Reports further claimed that nearly Rs 80 lakh in cash was recovered from the premises.

Local residents alleged that large quantities of tarpaulins and sticks were transported from the party office to another location in vans. They also claimed that bundles of documents were set on fire in front of the party office. After receiving information about the late-night incident on Sunday, police from Baduria Police Station reached the spot.

According to police sources, the accused fled the area upon seeing the police. Officers later recovered a huge quantity of government tarpaulins and other materials from the party office and the nearby abandoned garden house.

The Bharatiya Janata Party had lodged a written complaint at Baduria Police Station regarding the matter. Acting on the complaint, police arrested Dipankar Bhattacharya on Monday night.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey