Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Brothers arrested in Malda welfare scheme cut-money case
Police in Malda arrested two brothers over accusations involving government welfare schemes.
Sandip Mandal works as a panchayat tax collector.
Residents said he asked them for extra money before they could receive benefits.
Some residents said they were denied housing or Krishak Bandhu benefits because they could not pay.
Sandip was arrested first after people submitted written complaints.
During questioning, police said Sandip mentioned his brother Ratan, who is a civic volunteer.
Ratan was then arrested but denied taking part in the alleged wrongdoing.
Police are still checking the accusations and whether anyone else was involved.
Panchayat employee Sandip Mandal was arrested after written complaints alleging he demanded money from welfare beneficiaries.
Police arrested his brother Ratan Mandal, a civic volunteer, after Sandip allegedly named him during interrogation.
Residents accused Sandip of seeking payments for housing and Krishak Bandhu scheme benefits.
Ratan Mandal denied the allegations, calling the charges baseless and saying both brothers were falsely implicated.
Kaliachak police are examining the allegations and investigating whether others were involved.
- Who
- Panchayat employee Sandip Mandal and civic volunteer Ratan Mandal were arrested; residents made the allegations.
- What
- The brothers face allegations of demanding “cut money” from beneficiaries of housing and other government welfare schemes.
- When
- Sandip was arrested on Monday night, and Ratan was arrested on Tuesday night.
- Where
- The arrests and alleged activity were connected to Kaliachak-I panchayat in Malda.
- Why
- Police acted after residents submitted written complaints alleging that money was demanded in exchange for welfare benefits.
Residents’ and police allegations
The brothers’ denial
Demand for cut money
Residents’ and police allegations
Residents alleged that Sandip Mandal demanded money in exchange for access to housing and other welfare benefits.
The brothers’ denial
Ratan Mandal said the charges against him and his brother were baseless and that they had been falsely implicated.
Ratan Mandal’s alleged role
Residents’ and police allegations
Sandip allegedly identified his brother during interrogation, and residents said Sandip referred to Ratan’s civic-volunteer position for influence.
The brothers’ denial
Ratan denied involvement in the alleged irregularities.
- First arrest
- Sandip Mandal was arrested from his Ramashankartola house on Monday night.
- Second arrest
- Ratan Mandal was arrested on Tuesday night after questioning of his brother.
- Alleged schemes
- The allegations involve a housing scheme, Krishak Bandhu and other government welfare schemes.
- Complainants
- Residents approached local BJP leaders, who advised them to submit written police complaints.
- Police inquiry
- Kaliachak police are examining the allegations and checking whether others were involved.
- Defense
- Ratan Mandal denied the charges and called them baseless.