Kolkata: Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillor Ananta Roy was arrested last week on charges of abetment to suicide after he allegedly pressured a trader to repay a loan taken from a business associate.
The victim, Biswajit Roy, in his suicide letter had accused Roy of intimidating him to repay the loan of Rs61,000 that he had taken from Manoj Panja.
According to the local police, Roy had threatened the victim to repay and even summoned him to a local club where he threatened him. “There is enough evidence to suggest that the councillor was involved in intimidating Biswajit and he was even called to a local club and forced to pay. When Biswajit expressed his inability, the councillor asked him to sell his land and repay the debt. Biswajit under pressure and humiliation committed suicide the next day,” a police official said.
Though it is not clear why Roy got himself involved in a tussle between two private parties, TMC leaders are upset at the involvement of its councillors and legislators in personal disputes. “He had no authority to get involved in an issue between two private individuals. The law will take its own course,” said state minister Partha Chatterjee.
There had been similar complaints against TMC councillors and last week Anindyo Chatterjee, a councillor from Salt Lake, was arrested on charges of running an extortion racket in his area. “Things have come to such an pass that without paying money to local councillors and at times legislators, one cannot even paint his or her own house,” Sunil Sen, a retired government official and a resident of Kolkata.
Addressing party workers last Thursday, chief minister Mamata Banerjee repeatedly asked people who have joined the party with the intention to make money to leave. “There is no place for greed in the party. Those who want to serve the party without thinking of returns can stay. Others are welcome to leave,” she said.
In spite of such warning, TMC leaders are often getting involved in such illegal activities which is making the party worried. “A few unwanted elements have entered the party. We are identifying them and will take action,” said Chatterjee.
