Kolkata : Dramatic scenes unfolded in Bidhannagar after senior Trinamool Congress leader and former Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation Mayor Sabyasachi Dutta was allegedly targeted twice by protesters following his arrest in an extortion case.
According to police sources, Dutta was arrested after a businessman accused him of demanding more than ₹1 crore and allegedly issuing threats. Based on the complaint, Bidhannagar Police registered a case and took him into custody for questioning. Dutta, however, has strongly denied the allegations and termed the case politically motivated.
Soon after his arrest, large numbers of protesters gathered outside the Bidhannagar North Police Station. As police escorted Dutta from the station, some members of the crowd allegedly hurled eggs, tomatoes and other objects at him while shouting slogans. Police personnel formed a protective cordon and managed to move him safely from the area.
Hours later, a second confrontation reportedly occurred near the court premises when Dutta was being produced before a judge. Visuals circulating on social media showed protesters once again throwing eggs and raising slogans against the former mayor. Security personnel intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further.
The incidents have sparked a major political controversy in West Bengal. Supporters of Dutta condemned the attacks and accused political opponents of orchestrating public humiliation. On the other hand, protesters claimed they were expressing anger over the allegations against the veteran leader.
A court subsequently remanded Dutta to police custody as investigators continue probing the extortion allegations. Authorities have also begun examining the security lapses that allowed protesters to reach close to the accused during transit.
The twin attacks have drawn widespread attention across the state, with political parties trading charges over law and order, political vendetta and corruption allegations.
Police said the investigation into both the extortion case and the protest-related incidents is ongoing.
