Bengal police arrest Trinamool-linked Malda strongman on extortion, land grab charges
Synopsis
West Bengal police have arrested Amardeep Saha, a Malda strongman and close associate of a former TMC minister, on charges of extortion, illegal land occupation, and predatory high-interest lending targeting slum women. The arrest — coming after the BJP's election victory — follows a pattern of post-poll action against TMC-linked figures, drawing fresh comparisons to the Sandeshkhali case.
Key Takeaways
Amardeep Saha , 43 , was arrested by Malda district police on Tuesday night on charges of extortion and illegal land grabbing.
Saha is a close associate of former TMC minister and English Bazar Municipality chairman Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury .
Police sought 14 days of custody when Saha was produced before a Malda court on Wednesday .
An FIR was registered on 6 August under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) based on a complaint by Mampi Bhowmik .
Saha allegedly occupied government land for restaurants and trapped slum women in high-interest loan arrangements.
Chowdhury had not issued a public response at the time of reporting.
West Bengal police arrested Amardeep Saha, a Malda-based strongman and close associate of former Trinamool Congress (TMC) minister and English Bazar Municipality chairman Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury, on charges of extortion and illegal land grabbing. Saha, 43, was picked up by Malda district police on Tuesday night and produced before a Malda court on Wednesday, 13 August, where investigators sought 14 days of custody for further questioning.
Who Is Amardeep Saha
A resident of Dakshin Baluchar in Malda Town, Saha allegedly wielded significant local influence during the previous TMC government. Accusations against him include illegally occupying government land to run restaurants, collecting extortion money from local traders, and ensnaring economically vulnerable residents — particularly women in slum areas — in high-interest loan arrangements.
His alleged clout drew comparisons, according to reports, with Sheikh Shahjahan, the former TMC strongman from Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas who was arrested in connection with multiple allegations of a similar nature.
How the Case Unfolded
Complaints against Saha began surfacing at the English Bazar police station after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in West Bengal following the April–May Assembly elections. A formal written complaint was filed on 5 August by Mampi Bhowmik, who alleged she had been drawn into Saha's high-interest lending network. Based on her complaint, police registered a case on 6 August under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Following registration of the FIR, Saha allegedly went into hiding. Police stated they were unable to locate him despite repeated attempts, even as residents of the Baluchar area reportedly claimed he continued to move freely in the locality. He was eventually arrested from the area on Tuesday night.
What the Police Said
Malda Superintendent of Police Anupam Singh confirmed the arrest. 'Amardeep Saha was arrested on Tuesday night on the basis of specific allegations,' Singh said. While being escorted to court, Saha denied all charges and remarked, 'Everything is politics.'
Political Reactions
English Bazar MLA and BJP leader Amlan Bhaduri said the arrest followed multiple verified allegations involving the occupation of government land, intimidation of residents, and illegal high-interest lending. Bhaduri claimed that complaints had not been filed against Saha during the previous TMC administration because residents were afraid to speak out. He asserted that the present government was committed to upholding law and order and ensuring good governance.
Former minister Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury had not issued any public statement on the arrest at the time of reporting. The case marks the latest in a series of post-election actions against individuals allegedly linked to the previous TMC dispensation in West Bengal, and observers will watch whether further charges are added as the custody period progresses.
Point of View
Or whether it stalls if political utility diminishes. Chowdhury's silence, and the absence of any counter-narrative from TMC, suggests the party is calculating its exposure carefully.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Amardeep Saha and why was he arrested?
Amardeep Saha is a 43-year-old resident of Dakshin Baluchar in Malda Town and a close associate of former TMC minister Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury. He was arrested by Malda district police on Tuesday night on charges of extortion, illegal occupation of government land, and running a predatory high-interest lending operation targeting slum residents.
What charges have been filed against Amardeep Saha?
An FIR was registered on 6 August under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) following a written complaint by Mampi Bhowmik. The charges relate to extortion, illegal land grabbing, and coercive high-interest lending practices.
Who is Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury?
Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury is a former Trinamool Congress minister and the chairman of English Bazar Municipality in Malda. He is identified as a close associate of the arrested accused, Amardeep Saha, though he had not publicly responded to the arrest at the time of reporting.
Why were complaints against Saha not filed earlier?
BJP MLA Amlan Bhaduri claimed that residents were afraid to file complaints against Saha during the previous TMC government due to his alleged local influence. Complaints began emerging at the English Bazar police station after the BJP came to power following the April–May Assembly elections.
How does this case compare to the Sandeshkhali incident?
Reports drew comparisons between Saha and Sheikh Shahjahan, the former TMC strongman from Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas who was arrested on multiple allegations of land grabbing and intimidation. Both cases involve TMC-linked figures accused of exploiting local dominance to commit crimes against vulnerable residents.
