Former All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillor of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), Sushanta Ghosh, was arrested on Wednesday, 17 June by the Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata Police from Puri, Odisha, on charges of corruption and extortion. Ghosh, who represented Ward No. 108 of the KMC, had been evading arrest for an extended period before being tracked down in Odisha.

How the Arrest Unfolded

According to police, Ghosh allegedly abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot upon noticing law enforcement closing in. His driver, Sujit Chowdhury, was apprehended from the car but was unable to escape. A sustained search operation across state lines ultimately led to Ghosh's capture. He is currently being transported to Kolkata on transit remand.

The Extortion Allegations

The arrest follows a complaint lodged by members of the Hawkers Committee at the Anandapur police station, accusing Ghosh of extorting ₹3 crore from street vendors operating in Ward No. 108. An FIR was registered against him on multiple charges, including extortion. Investigators have also reportedly uncovered evidence of several properties registered in Ghosh's name, as well as assets allegedly held under anonymous names. According to sources, the combined value of properties linked to him could run into several hundred crore rupees, though this remains under investigation.

Political Background

Ghosh had stepped down last month as chairman of Borough Committee No. 12 at the KMC but had not resigned from his position as councillor. The broader KMC municipal board was subsequently dissolved following the resignation of Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim. These developments have cast a shadow over the civic administration of Kolkata at a particularly turbulent moment.

Part of a Wider Crackdown

Ghosh's arrest is not an isolated incident. With his detention, a total of 11 former TMC councillors of the KMC have been arrested on various charges over the last one month alone. The pattern points to a sweeping law enforcement operation targeting alleged corruption within the corporation's former leadership. Notably, this is the broadest single-month sweep against KMC-linked figures in recent memory, and investigators have indicated that questioning of Ghosh regarding his assets will begin once he is formally taken into custody in Kolkata.

What Happens Next

Police are expected to question Ghosh extensively about the alleged properties and the extortion charges once he arrives in Kolkata. The investigation into assets held under anonymous names is ongoing. With 11 arrests in a single month, the crackdown on former KMC councillors shows no signs of abating.