A Kolkata man has been arrested on allegations of cheating multiple buyers of approximately ₹70 lakh by promising them flats and land in the New Town and Salt Lake areas, police confirmed on Thursday, 9 July. The accused was apprehended from Amherst Street in north Kolkata late on Wednesday night by personnel of Bidhannagar North Police Station.

Who Was Arrested and What He Is Accused Of

The arrested individual has been identified as Robin Dutta. According to police, Dutta allegedly collected money from several victims under the pretext of securing residential properties in two of Kolkata's most sought-after localities — New Town and Salt Lake — but never delivered on those promises.

In the most significant case, Dutta allegedly accepted ₹54 lakh from a complainant identified as Ashish Biswas, assuring him of a land parcel in Salt Lake. In a separate instance, he reportedly took ₹16 lakh from Sonali Mukherjee, a resident of Salt Lake, on the assurance of providing her a flat and land in New Town. Neither property was ever transferred to the buyers.

Why Earlier Complaints Went Unaddressed

Both complainants allege that they had lodged formal complaints against Dutta during the tenure of the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal, but no action was taken. Following the change of government in the state, the victims submitted a fresh complaint to state Health Minister and Bidhannagar MLA Sharadwat Mukherjee. Police initiated action only after that intervention, according to reports.

Investigators are now examining whether Dutta operated alone or whether others were complicit in the alleged fraud scheme.

Minister's Pattern of Public Intervention

This is not the first instance of Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee stepping in following public grievances. Last month, acting on a complaint, the minister was present when a ward office of the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation — previously run by the Trinamool Congress — was opened after remaining locked since the declaration of state Assembly election results on 4 May.

Upon opening, the premises were found to have been converted into what officials described as a hotel-like facility, complete with multiple air-conditioners, sofas, contraceptives, a bed, and a dressing table inside what was meant to be a public ward office.

Investigation Status

Police have launched a formal investigation into the property fraud case. The scope of the probe is expected to widen as investigators determine whether a larger network was behind the alleged cheating. The case underscores growing concerns about unregulated real estate dealings in Kolkata's rapidly developing peripheral zones.