Who Is Sabyasachi Dutta? Ex-Bidhannagar Mayor Arrested In Extortion Case, Joins List Of TMC Heavyweights Now In Trouble

Kolkata: A dramatic political development unfolded in Bidhannagar late on Monday night as Sabyasachi Dutta, the Municipal Councillor of Ward No. 31 of the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, former Chairperson of the Corporation and former TMC MLA from Rajarhat-Newtown, was arrested by the Bidhannagar North Police Station.

The influential Trinamool Congress leader was arrested on multiple serious charges, including alleged extortion of crores of rupees, death threats and mental harassment. His arrest adds another prominent name to the growing list of TMC leaders and public representatives who have faced legal action in recent weeks following the change of government in West Bengal.

Late-Night Raid And Arrest

According to police sources, a large police team raided Dutta's residence in a multi-storey apartment in Rajarhat-Newtown on Monday night. He was initially detained and taken to Bidhannagar North Police Station for questioning. Following a marathon interrogation that continued till midnight, investigators allegedly found several inconsistencies in his statements. He was subsequently arrested late at night.

Sabyasachi Dutta also attempted to avoid answering several questions during the interrogation.

However, there has been no official statement from Bidhannagar North Police Station regarding the high-profile arrest yet. As per reports, Sabyasachi Dutta will be produced before the Bidhannagar court on Tuesday morning. Police are likely to seek his custody for further investigation.

What led To The Arrest of Sabyasachi Dutta?

The arrest followed a written complaint lodged on Monday afternoon by Salt Lake-based businessman Madhusudan Chakraborty at Bidhannagar North Police Station. In his complaint, Chakraborty levelled several serious allegations against Dutta, including extortion, death threats and severe mental torture.

The businessman claimed he had been subjected to intimidation and exploitation by an extortion syndicate for a long period. He alleged that he and his family were repeatedly threatened in person and over the phone if large sums of money were not paid.

According to the complainant, the influential TMC leader exerted pressure on members of the business community through intimidation and threats.

FIR Details Accessed - Allegations Date Back to 2018

According to the FIR lodged by the businessman, the alleged incident dates back to 2018. Chakraborty alleged that Dutta called him and demanded Rs 2.30 lakh within an hour. He claimed that Dutta warned him of serious consequences if the money was not paid immediately.

The businessman stated that he was in a helpless situation at the time as his wife was battling cancer. He mentioned that he had kept cash at home for emergency medical treatment and was forced to give away his hard-earned money. According to the complaint, he handed over money meant for his wife's treatment, along with borrowed funds, to Dutta's alleged representative, Vidyut Gangopadhyay. He alleged that he had no option but to use money kept aside for his wife's treatment and borrow the remaining amount from an acquaintance before handing it over.

In the FIR, Chakraborty stated that Dutta was a highly influential leader of the then ruling party and that fear prevented him from taking any action at the time.

Who Is Sabyasachi Dutta?

Sabyasachi Dutta has long been one of the most influential political figures in the Bidhannagar and Rajarhat regions. 

Over the years, he has held several key positions in civic administration and politics. He served as the Mayor of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, represented Rajarhat-Newtown as an MLA and currently serves as the Chairman of Bidhannagar Municipality. He is also the Trinamool councillor from Ward No. 31 of the municipality.

Known for his strong organisational presence, Dutta has remained a significant political force in the Bidhannagar-Rajarhat belt for years.

However, following the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, differences emerged between him and the TMC leadership. He subsequently joined the BJP during a period of changing political equations in the state.

He contested the high-voltage 2021 Assembly elections on a BJP ticket but was defeated. After becoming disheartened with the BJP, he returned to home camp Trinamool Congress and won as a councillor and later became Chairman of Bidhannagar Municipality.

Dutta was also the Trinamool Congress candidate from the Barasat constituency in the 2026 Assembly elections. However, he suffered defeat despite his long-standing political influence.

Jolts After Jolts For TMC

Sabyasachi Dutta's arrest has placed him among a growing list of TMC leaders from Bidhannagar who have currently been facing legal actions and trouble. Earlier, Krishna Chakraborty, a councillor of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, resigned on June 4.

Trinamool councillor Samrat Barua of Ward No. 6 was arrested on extortion charges. He is considered close to party leader Debraj Chakraborty.

Ranjan Poddar, councillor and borough chairman of Ward No. 34 of Bidhannagar Municipality, was also arrested on extortion charges. He was accused of extorting money from bus drivers at the Karunamoyee bus stand.

Former councillor Azizul Hossain Mandal of Ward No. 12 was arrested on allegations of forcibly occupying land and threatening the landowner.

Nirmal Dutta, a former Trinamool councillor from Ward No. 38, was arrested on charges of intimidating voters and making provocative remarks.

Tough Time For Mamata

The arrest of Sabyasachi Dutta comes at a time when signs of internal discord within the Trinamool Congress have increasingly come to the forefront with 20 anti-Abhishek Banerjee TMC MLAs willing to join NDA after holding a meeting with Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav and CM Suvendu Adhikari in Delhi. 

This rebel section of Mamata Banerjee's TMC has openly expressed dissatisfaction with the leadership based in Kalighat, while organisational-level differences have also surfaced in different parts of the state.