Former North Bengal development minister Udayan Guha arrested:Held by Cooch Behar district police in connection with an alleged extortion case

Former West Bengal North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha was arrested from his residence in Kolkata’s Phoolbagan area on Wednesday. According to police sources, he was arrested by Cooch Behar district police in connection with an alleged extortion case. Former minister arrested in extortion case Officials said the case relates to allegations that funds were illegally collected in the name of an NGO during the construction of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Dinhata Sub-Divisional Hospital. A complaint in the matter was reportedly filed on June 12, following which investigators initiated action against the former minister. Complaint linked to hospital project funds Police sources said Guha is currently facing multiple cases, with authorities claiming that at least six complaints have been registered against him. He is expected to be produced before the Sealdah Court and taken to Cooch Behar on transit remand for further investigation. Police seek transit remand for probe Apart from the extortion case, Guha’s name has reportedly surfaced in several other cases, including the Ratan Barman murder case, the Panch Shahid case, allegations related to post-poll violence in 2021, and complaints concerning the alleged collection of money from residents in the Dinhata municipality area in exchange for housing-related benefits. Speaking briefly before being taken away by police, Guha said, I do not even know why I have been arrested. BJP MLA launches sharp attack today Reacting to the arrest, Dinhata BJP MLA Ajay Roy alleged that Guha had been involved in multiple irregularities and claimed that legal action against him was long overdue. The allegations, however, are yet to be proven in court. A prominent Trinamool Congress leader from North Bengal, Guha, was considered one of the party’s most influential figures in the region. Following the change in political circumstances in the state, several complaints have surfaced against former ruling party leaders, leading to a series of investigations and arrests across different districts.