4 days ago
Former TMC Councillor Faces Syndicate Law Charges in Extortion Case
A court in Barasat has formally charged former Trinamool Congress councillor Debraj Chakraborty.
Police say he took money from property developers through an organised group.
The charges use a new law dealing with serious syndicate-related crimes.
That law includes offences such as extortion, land grabbing and kidnapping.
Depending on the offence, the law can allow very severe punishment, including the death penalty.
Police sources said this may be the first time the provision has been used this way in Bengal.
The trial is expected to start next week when witnesses begin giving evidence.
The charges are allegations, and the court will now hear the case.
Charges were framed against former Trinamool Congress councillor Debraj Chakraborty at a Barasat court.
Police allege that Chakraborty extorted money from real estate developers through an organised syndicate.
The case invokes a new syndicate crime provision covering offences including extortion, land grabbing and kidnapping.
Police sources said this may be the first case in Bengal where charges were framed under the provision.
The trial is expected to begin next week with witness evidence, while Chakraborty faces several other cases.
- Who
- Debraj Chakraborty, a former Trinamool Congress member of the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation's mayoral council, was charged; his wife and former MLA Aditi Munshi is a co-accused in another case.
- What
- A Barasat court framed charges alleging extortion from real estate developers and involvement in an organised syndicate.
- Where
- At a court in Barasat, Bengal.
- When
- Charges were framed on Thursday, and the trial is expected to begin next week.
- Why
- Police allege that Chakraborty was linked to an organised syndicate and extorted money from promoters.
Key facts
- Accused
- Debraj Chakraborty
- Political affiliation
- Former Trinamool Congress member
- Court
- Barasat court
- Main allegations
- Extortion from real estate developers and organised syndicate activity
- Law invoked
- New syndicate crime provision
- Potential offences covered
- Extortion, land grabbing, kidnapping, robbery, contract killing and human trafficking
- Next step
- Trial and recording of witness evidence, expected to begin next week
Quotes
A lawyer
A lawyer commenting on the court’s authority to amend charges after reviewing the evidence
“If the court feels that the charges slapped on an accused are inadequate compared to the evidence collected, it has the liberty to amend the charges based on the available evidence.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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