Kolkata, Oct. 15 -- The president of a prominent local Durga Puja committee in Ashoknagar was arrested by the police on Wednesday following allegations of extortion, assault and intimidation over festival donations.
The accused, identified as Babli Bhadra, president of the Suhrid Sangha Puja Committee, was produced before the concerned court and remanded to 12 days of judicial custody.
According to sources, the incident unfolded in the Vijaya Pharmacy locality of Ashoknagar of North 24-Parganas. A local resident, who recently constructed a new house in the area, was allegedly cornered by members of the Suhrid Sangha Club. The club members demanded an exorbitant Durga Puja donation of Rs 50,000.
When the family expressed their inability to pay the massive amount, Bhadra and another club member identified as Gobinda Das reportedly barged into the house to issue threats. The confrontation quickly turned violent when the homeowner attempted to record the extortion attempt on his mobile phone.
The accused allegedly launched a physical assault on the couple. During the ensuing scuffle, the victims' two-year-old child was violently pushed to the ground, sustaining injuries. Following the assault, the family lodged a formal complaint. Later, on Wednesday Bhadra was arrested.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.