Kolkata, 05 June (H.S.) : Swarup Biswas, brother of senior West Bengal minister Arup Biswas, has been arrested by New Alipore Police Station in connection with an extortion case, police sources confirmed on Friday.

According to officials, the arrest is linked to allegations that Biswas allegedly collected illegal payments from technicians and employees associated with a technical studio located in the Tollygunge area of Kolkata.

Police said Swarup Biswas had long served as the president of the Eastern India Cine Technicians and Employees Association. During his tenure, sections of artists and workers had earlier raised allegations of coercion and financial pressure against him.

Sources also noted that he was considered a powerful figure within the film industry’s labour organisations for several years, but his influence reportedly declined in recent times following changes in the political landscape.

It is also being reported that after shifts in state political dynamics, the structure of the association weakened, and discussions were underway regarding its future role in the industry. Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Papia Adhikari had called for the dissolution of the union structure in the Tollygunge studio zone, suggesting that film industry-related operations should instead function under the Eastern India Motion Picture Association framework.

Police stated that action was taken following verification of multiple complaints alleging extortion. Further investigation into the matter is currently underway. The arrest has once again stirred discussions within Kolkata’s Tollygunge film industry and its organisational structure.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh