Jhargram Police have arrested Trinamool Congress leader Ajit Mahata for allegedly extorting around Rs 10 lakh from a job aspirant by promising him employment in a government office, police said on Friday, October 30.

Source: IANS via HiIndia

Mahata had unsuccessfully contested the Assembly elections earlier this year from Gopiballabhpur in Jhargram district on a Trinamool Congress ticket and was considered an influential political figure in the district.

According to police, the arrest followed a complaint by local resident Sajal Das, who alleged that Mahata took around Rs 10 lakh from him in multiple instalments over a period of time on the promise of securing a government job. Das alleged that he did not receive the promised job, and that when he approached Mahata seeking either the employment or a refund, he was threatened with dire consequences. These are allegations, and Mahata's guilt has not been established in court.

Police sources said Mahata had been evading arrest for a considerable period despite multiple complaints filed earlier against him at Jhargram Police Station. Acting on the latest complaint, police conducted a late-night operation and arrested him from his residence on Thursday.

Source: IANS via AndhraVilas

What happens next

Police said Mahata would be produced before a local court on Friday and that they would seek 14 days of custody for further questioning and investigation into the allegations.