Kolkata: FIR filed against ex-TMC councillor Bapi Ghosh for cheating, threats
Synopsis
A family in north Kolkata alleges that former TMC ward councillor Bapi Ghosh and an associate threatened them into signing a land deal in 2020, then withheld ₹10.5 lakh owed under the agreement — and threatened them again when they asked for the money. The FIR, filed under BNS provisions for cheating and extortion, is the latest in a wave of criminal cases against TMC functionaries since West Bengal's government changed hands.
Key Takeaways
An FIR has been registered at Shyampukur police station , north Kolkata , against former TMC KMC councillor Bapi Ghosh and associate Debabrata Akuli .
The complainant, Anita Sau , alleges the family was coerced into signing a land contract in 2020 under threat.
The family was promised a flat, a shop, and ₹10.5 lakh in cash; the cash was allegedly never paid.
Charges filed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) include cheating, extortion, criminal intimidation, and conspiracy.
The case is part of a broader post-election crackdown on TMC leaders in West Bengal .
An FIR has been registered against former Trinamool Congress (TMC) Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) councillor Bapi Ghosh on charges of cheating, extortion, criminal threats, and conspiracy, police confirmed on Thursday, 27 August. The case, filed at Shyampukur police station in north Kolkata, follows a complaint by a local family who allege they were coerced into handing over land and subsequently deprived of payments promised under a construction agreement.
What the Complaint Alleges
The complainant, Anita Sau, alleged that her husband transferred land on Gopimohan Lane in Shyampukur in 2020 for flat construction. According to her account, Ghosh — then serving as councillor of ward number 7 of the KMC — and his associate Debabrata Akuli allegedly pressured the family into signing a contract under threat.
Under the terms of that agreement, the family was to receive a flat, a shop, and ₹10.5 lakh in cash upon completion of construction. While the flat and shop were reportedly handed over, the cash component was allegedly never paid. When the family sought the outstanding amount, they were reportedly threatened again and warned they would 'suffer the consequences' if they persisted.
Case Registered, Accused Yet to Respond
Based on Anita Sau's complaint and a preliminary police investigation, an FIR has been registered against Ghosh and Akuli under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), covering offences of cheating, extortion, criminal intimidation, and conspiracy. As of the time of this report, no response had been received from the former councillor regarding the allegations.
Part of a Wider Post-Election Crackdown
This case is part of a broader pattern of legal action against TMC leaders following the change of government in West Bengal after the state Assembly elections. A significant number of TMC leaders, former ministers, and councillors have since been arrested on charges including extortion, assault, molestation, and intimidation.
Notably, in several such arrests, crowds reportedly threw eggs at the accused as police escorted them, with bystanders chanting slogans targeting the detained leaders. The Ghosh case adds to what has become a sustained accountability reckoning for local-level TMC functionaries across the state.
What Happens Next
Police are continuing their investigation. With the FIR formally registered, Ghosh and Akuli could face arrest depending on the findings of the ongoing probe. The case is likely to draw further political attention given its context within the post-election crackdown on TMC-linked figures in West Bengal.
Point of View
But the structural question they raise: how many such arrangements were normalised under the cover of councillor authority? The BNS charges, particularly the conspiracy count, suggest investigators are looking beyond the immediate accused. Whether that scrutiny extends upward in the party hierarchy, or stops at the ward level, will determine whether this crackdown is accountability or selective targeting.
NationPress
27 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bapi Ghosh and what is he accused of?
Bapi Ghosh is a former Trinamool Congress councillor of ward number 7 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. He has been accused, along with associate Debabrata Akuli, of coercing a family into signing a land contract under threat in 2020, and then withholding ₹10.5 lakh promised under that agreement while allegedly threatening the family again when they demanded payment.
What charges have been filed in the FIR?
The FIR, registered at Shyampukur police station in north Kolkata, invokes relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) covering cheating, extortion, criminal intimidation, and conspiracy to commit criminal acts.
What did the family allege they were promised?
According to the complaint, the family was to receive a flat, a shop, and ₹10.5 lakh in cash once construction on their Gopimohan Lane land was completed. The flat and shop were reportedly handed over, but the cash component was allegedly never paid.
Is this case connected to the broader crackdown on TMC leaders in West Bengal?
Yes. Following the change of government in West Bengal after the state Assembly elections, a large number of TMC leaders, former ministers, and councillors have faced arrest on charges including extortion, assault, and intimidation. The Ghosh case is part of this wider accountability drive.
Has Bapi Ghosh responded to the allegations?
As of the time of reporting, no response had been received from the former councillor regarding the complaint or the FIR filed against him.
