Atin Ghosh moves Calcutta HC for anticipatory bail in ₹50 lakh land-grab case
Synopsis
Former TMC MLA and ex-Kolkata Deputy Mayor Atin Ghosh bypassed a police summons and rushed to the Calcutta High Court for anticipatory bail in a ₹50 lakh land-grabbing case — a move that keeps scrutiny on the Trinamool Congress at a time when the party is already under fire for alleged corruption among its former legislators.
Key Takeaways
Former TMC MLA Atin Ghosh approached the Calcutta High Court on 30 June seeking anticipatory bail in a land-grabbing case.
The Bidhannagar North police had summoned Ghosh and his daughter Priyadarshini Ghosh ; both moved court instead of responding.
A hotel owner alleges his property was forcibly acquired for a 'small amount', with total fraud pegged at ₹50 lakh .
Justice Suvra Ghosh allowed the petition to be filed; a hearing is expected later this week.
Ghosh and his daughter have denied all allegations and threatened to file a defamation case against the complainant.
Ghosh lost the Kashipur-Belgacchia seat to BJP's Ritesh Tiwari in the most recent Assembly election after winning it in 2021 .
Former All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA and ex-Kolkata Deputy Mayor Atin Ghosh on Tuesday, 30 June approached the Calcutta High Court seeking anticipatory bail in a land-grabbing and fraud case involving an alleged ₹50 lakh transaction. The move came after the Bidhannagar North police summoned Ghosh and his daughter Priyadarshini Ghosh in connection with the case — summons to which neither responded before approaching the court.
What the Case Alleges
A complaint filed last week accuses Atin Ghosh and Priyadarshini Ghosh of fraudulently acquiring a hotel owner's property by paying a 'small amount' and allegedly forcibly taking possession of the premises. The complainant has alleged fraud amounting to ₹50 lakh. Although the incident reportedly occurred within the jurisdiction of the Pragati Maidan police station, the formal complaint was lodged at the Bidhannagar North police station in the Salt Lake area of Kolkata, where officers are currently investigating.
What Ghosh's Lawyer Argued in Court
Ghosh's counsel Ayan Bhattacharya argued before the court that the former legislator and his family have been falsely implicated. He also submitted that a family member suffering from cancer had been subjected to harassment in connection with the case, and on those grounds sought an urgent hearing. Justice Suvra Ghosh allowed the petition to be filed; the matter is likely to come up for hearing later this week.
Ghosh and Daughter Deny Allegations
Atin Ghosh categorically rejected the charges. 'I do not know the person who made the complaint. My daughter bought a property from them. In my 50 years of political life, no one can make any corruption allegations against me. Still, if the police call me for the sake of investigation, I am ready to cooperate in every way,' he said. Priyadarshini echoed the denial: 'It is a completely false allegation. The person who made this complaint cheated us. We have all the documents.' Both have warned that they intend to file a defamation case against the complainant.
Political Background
Atin Ghosh had represented the Kashipur-Belgacchia Assembly constituency in north Kolkata, winning the seat on a Trinamool Congress ticket in the 2021 Assembly elections. He contested the same seat again on a TMC ticket in the most recent election but lost to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Ritesh Tiwari. The case arrives at a politically sensitive juncture for the TMC, which has faced mounting scrutiny over alleged corruption among its ranks. This is not the first time a former TMC legislator has sought court protection ahead of a police summons — a pattern that critics argue reflects the party's broader accountability deficit.
What Happens Next
The Calcutta High Court is expected to take up the anticipatory bail petition later this week. The outcome will determine whether Ghosh and his daughter can pre-empt arrest while the Bidhannagar North police investigation continues. The complainant's hotel-property fraud allegation remains under active inquiry.
Point of View
But the pattern of TMC-linked figures approaching courts ahead of police summons has become frequent enough to warrant scrutiny beyond individual cases. The ₹50 lakh land-fraud allegation, involving a hotel owner who claims his property was forcibly acquired, is precisely the kind of ground-level grievance that has eroded TMC's support in urban Kolkata constituencies — including Kashipur-Belgacchia, which Ghosh just lost to the BJP. Whether the High Court grants relief or not, the political damage from the optics of a former Deputy Mayor in a property-fraud dock is already done.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Atin Ghosh approach the Calcutta High Court?
Atin Ghosh sought anticipatory bail from the Calcutta High Court to pre-empt a possible arrest in a land-grabbing and fraud case. The Bidhannagar North police had summoned him and his daughter Priyadarshini Ghosh, but instead of responding to the summons, he filed the bail petition.
What is the land-grabbing case against Atin Ghosh?
A hotel owner has alleged that his property was forcibly taken away for a 'small amount of money', with the alleged fraud valued at ₹50 lakh. The complaint was filed with the Bidhannagar North police station in Salt Lake, Kolkata, which is currently investigating the matter.
What did Justice Suvra Ghosh decide on the petition?
Justice Suvra Ghosh of the Calcutta High Court allowed the anticipatory bail petition to be filed. The case is expected to be heard later in the week, after Ghosh's lawyer cited urgent grounds including harassment of a cancer-patient family member.
How has Atin Ghosh responded to the allegations?
Ghosh has denied all charges, saying he does not know the complainant and that his daughter legitimately purchased the property. He stated he is ready to cooperate with police if called for investigation, and both he and his daughter have threatened to file a defamation case against the complainant.
What is Atin Ghosh's political background?
Atin Ghosh is a veteran TMC leader who won the Kashipur-Belgacchia Assembly seat in north Kolkata in the 2021 elections and also served as Kolkata's Deputy Mayor. He contested the same seat again on a TMC ticket in the subsequent election but lost to BJP candidate Ritesh Tiwari.
