Kolkata, 18 May (H.S.) : Police in West Bengal’s Asansol have arrested Raju Ahluwalia, the Asansol block president of the Trinamool Congress labour wing INTTUC, on charges of extortion. He was produced before the Asansol court on Monday.

While entering the court premises, Raju Ahluwalia claimed that the case against him was part of a “political conspiracy.” According to local sources and some Trinamool Congress workers, the arrested leader is considered close to former state minister Moloy Ghatak.

Police officials said that a few days ago, three persons were arrested from Mahishila Colony in Asansol in connection with an extortion case. During interrogation in police custody, the accused allegedly revealed that they were carrying out extortion activities on behalf of Raju Ahluwalia and that the collected money was handed over to him. Based on those statements, police proceeded with Ahluwalia’s arrest.

Investigators are now planning to question him further to determine whether more individuals were involved in the extortion racket and whether the extorted money was passed on to others.

Speaking to reporters while being taken to court, Raju Ahluwalia denied the allegations and said, “I have always protested against extortion. Today I have been arrested. This is a political conspiracy.”

When asked who might be behind the alleged conspiracy, he replied, “Everyone knows the situation in Asansol. This is a political conspiracy aimed at preventing me from raising my voice in protest.”

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh