Kolkata, 20 August (H.S.): Former chairman of Tarakeswar Municipality and Trinamool Congress leader Uttam Kundu has been arrested in connection with several allegations, including land grabbing, forcibly taking possession of an under-construction flat and misappropriating money. Kundu is currently the Trinamool Congress’ Arambagh organisational district president.

A team of Hooghly Rural Police arrested Kundu from Kolkata on Wednesday night. According to police sources, he has been accused of allegedly misappropriating Rs 40 lakh from a Kolkata-based businessman. He is also facing allegations of forcibly occupying an under-construction flat and grabbing land.

The police action came as part of an investigation into these allegations. On June 25, following the political changes in the state, Kolkata-based promoter Rajesh Agarwal lodged a complaint against Kundu at Tarakeswar police station. Kundu had reportedly been absconding since the complaint was filed.

Hooghly Rural Police subsequently launched an investigation and arrested him after a team reached Kolkata on Wednesday night.

Kundu has had a long-standing political association with Trinamool leader Ritabrata Banerjee. He had earlier served as the president of the Trinamool Congress’ labour wing, INTTUC, in the Arambagh organisational district, when Banerjee was the state president of the organisation.

The two reportedly developed close political ties during that period. After factions emerged within the Trinamool Congress, Banerjee appointed Kundu as the president of the party’s Arambagh organisational district.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh