Hooghly, 11 June (H.S.): A case has been registered at Rishra Police Station against Sital Ghatak, councillor of Ward No. 20 of Rishra Municipality, his son, and several others over serious allegations. Acting on the complaint, the police have arrested Councillor Sital Ghatak and his son.

According to police sources, a written complaint was lodged on Wednesday by one Sanjit Barman. The complaint alleged that during his tenure as councillor, Sital Ghatak, along with his son and other associates, was involved in collecting alleged cut money from beneficiaries of various government welfare schemes. The accused were also charged with extortion, assault, criminal intimidation, and acts of vandalism.

Following the complaint, Rishra Police registered a case and initiated an investigation. During the course of the probe, the police arrested Sital Ghatak and his son. Two other accused persons in the case are already in judicial custody in connection with another case registered at Rishra Police Station.

The police said that the arrested councillor and his son will be produced before the Serampore Sub-Divisional Court on Thursday with a prayer for police custody. The other two accused will be formally shown arrested in the present case and subsequently taken into police custody as per due legal procedure.

Investigators stated that the probe is continuing and further action will be taken against any other persons found involved as and when evidence emerges.

Notably, on Wednesday, local residents staged a protest outside the residence of Trinamool Congress councillor Sital Ghatak, raising various allegations against him. The police had to intervene and escort Ghatak from the area to ensure his safety. During the unrest, angry protesters allegedly hurled eggs at the councillor.

Later that night, the police officially confirmed the arrest of Sital Ghatak and his son.

Moreover, recently, another Rishra Municipality councillor, Partha Sarathi Gupta of was arrested by the police in connection with alleged financial irregularities related to the Lakshmir Bhandar welfare scheme.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey