Former Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillor of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), Shams Iqbal, was granted bail by a city court within hours of his arrest on Monday, 29 June, after the complainant in an extortion case reportedly withdrew the complaint following a settlement. The case had been registered under non-bailable sections, including provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.

The Arrest and Swift Bail

Officers of Garden Reach Police Station in Kolkata's port area detained Iqbal on Monday morning on charges of allegedly extorting ₹70 lakh from a local businessman. Despite the non-bailable nature of the charges, Iqbal was released on a personal bond of just ₹1,000 after the complainant, identified as Mohammad Shadab, withdrew the case. Police confirmed both parties had reached a settlement, though it remains unclear whether the substantive charges — including those under the Arms Act — will be formally dropped.

What the Complaint Alleged

According to the FIR filed at Garden Reach Police Station, Iqbal and his associates — named as Mohammad Faraz, Feroz Qureshi, and others — allegedly began extorting money from the complainant as far back as June 2023. The complainant alleged he was told he would need to pay regularly to operate his business in the area without interference. A total of ₹70 lakh was allegedly extracted over this period. The complaint further alleged that the businessman and his family were threatened with death if payments were not made, and that money was reportedly demanded at gunpoint on multiple occasions. The complainant stated he had been unable to approach police earlier due to fear.

Iqbal's Political Connections

Shams Iqbal served as the Trinamool Congress councillor for Ward No. 134 of the KMC and is described as a close associate of former Kolkata Mayor and ex-state minister Firhad Hakim. The two were reportedly seen together at multiple public events and party programmes. Iqbal has attracted attention in the past for arriving at KMC headquarters in a luxury car reportedly worth crores, and his social media accounts are said to feature photographs with celebrities and documentation of foreign travel.

A Pattern of Post-Election Arrests

This case is part of a broader trend following the Trinamool Congress's defeat in the state Assembly elections. According to reports, TMC councillors and local leaders are being arrested in quick succession, with most facing allegations of extortion, intimidation, and molestation. Observers note that individuals who were reportedly unable to file complaints during the party's extended hold on power are now approaching police stations in growing numbers. This is not an isolated incident — it reflects a systemic shift in the political ground reality in West Bengal.

What Happens Next

The withdrawal of the complaint by the businessman raises questions about whether pressure or inducement played a role in the settlement, given the serious nature of the original allegations. Legal observers note that charges under the Arms Act are not automatically extinguished by a complainant's withdrawal, and the police retain the authority to pursue the case independently. Whether investigators will proceed on their own cognisance remains to be seen.