Kolkata: Lake Town Police have registered a criminal case against four alleged Trinamool Congress supporters after a local grocer accused them of extorting supplies and cash worth over ₹3 lakh through intimidation, assault and political pressure spanning over three years.The complaint was lodged on Tuesday by Gunadhar Patra, proprietor of Parboti Store in Bangur Avenue. Based on his written complaint, police registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including extortion, criminal intimidation, voluntarily causing hurt and wrongful restraint.The accused have been identified as Shubhajit Dey, Arpan Bose, Aniruddhya Dutta and Dipalok Dutta, along with several associates. According to the complaint, they allegedly posed as influential political operatives linked to a former local MLA, who is currently in jail after being arrested by the ED.Patra alleged that between 2021 and 2024, the accused repeatedly forced him to supply groceries and household items for club functions and political programs and Durga Puja celebrations without payment. They also allegedly extorted cash in the name of funding local sports and festive events.The complaint states that the value of the unpaid goods and cash totalled to Rs 3,08,537. Whenever Patra requested payment, the accused allegedly abused and assaulted him and threatened to shut down his shop, har, his family and kill him.Patra said he did not approach the police earlier out of fear for his family’s safety. He also claimed the unpaid dues caused severe financial hardship to his business.Police said an investigation is underway.
