1 hr ago
Balurghat Contractor Alleges ₹9 Lakh Cut Money Demand
A contractor in Balurghat has accused a former town leader of demanding money from him.
The contractor says he was asked to pay ₹9 lakh after receiving a municipal work contract.
He claims he paid because he feared losing the contract and future work.
He also says about ₹16 lakh of his work bill remains unpaid.
The contractor gave his complaint to the police.
Police have started looking into the allegations.
The former chairman says the accusations are false and that he followed official procedures.
An audio recording said to involve both men has appeared on social media.
Contractor Shivballabh Adhikari accused former Balurghat municipality chairman Ashok Kumar Mitra of demanding ₹9 lakh.
Adhikari said the demand followed a ₹30–35 lakh drain construction and renovation tender awarded in 2024.
He alleged that threats to cancel the tender and block future contracts forced him to pay.
Police began a probe after Adhikari filed a complaint with Balurghat police on Tuesday night.
Mitra denied the allegations, while a purported audio recording of the conversation circulated on social media.
- Who
- Contractor Shivballabh Adhikari accused former Balurghat municipality chairman and Trinamool Congress leader Ashok Kumar Mitra.
- What
- Adhikari alleged that Mitra demanded ₹9 lakh in “cut money” and threatened his municipal contracts; police opened a probe.
- Where
- Balurghat, the South Dinajpur district headquarters in West Bengal.
- When
- The tender was awarded in 2024, and Adhikari filed his complaint on Tuesday night; no calendar date was provided.
- Why
- Adhikari said he approached police after alleging that the money was taken under threat and that his outstanding bill remained unresolved.
Contractor and Critics
Mitra’s Response
Alleged cut-money payment
Contractor and Critics
Adhikari alleged that Mitra demanded ₹9 lakh and that he paid after being threatened with cancellation of the tender and exclusion from future municipal work. BJP district general secretary Bapi Sarkar called for a comprehensive investigation.
Mitra’s Response
Mitra denied knowing Adhikari and called the allegations baseless and false. He said work orders during his tenure followed the Municipal Act and prescribed procedures.
Unpaid bill
Contractor and Critics
Adhikari said around ₹16 lakh of his bill was still pending and that he repeatedly sought both the outstanding payment and return of the alleged cut money.
Mitra’s Response
Mitra said Adhikari should contact those currently in charge and would receive payment once government funds were released.
Scope of the allegations
Contractor and Critics
Adhikari claimed that other contractors had also been charged cut money, though they were reluctant to come forward.
Mitra’s Response
Mitra rejected the allegations; the present municipal chairman, Surajit Saha, said he was unaware of the matter and that the firm did no work during his tenure.
Key facts
- Complainant
- Shivballabh Adhikari, a contractor.
- Accused
- Ashok Kumar Mitra, former Balurghat municipality chairman and Trinamool Congress leader.
- Alleged payment
- ₹9 lakh.
- Tender value
- Approximately ₹30–35 lakh.
- Tender work
- Construction and renovation of drains in the Balurghat civic area.
- Outstanding bill
- Adhikari claimed approximately ₹16 lakh remained unpaid.
- Police action
- Balurghat police began a probe and said they would speak with Adhikari, Mitra and others.
Quotes
Shivballabh Adhikari
Balurghat contractor who filed the police complaint
“I have been contacting the former chairman, seeking the return of the money, but nothing has been resolved. That is why I approached the police.”
telegraphindia.com
“The allegations against me are completely baseless and false.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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