Kolkata, August 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
West Bengal Police have arrested Malda-based strongman Amardeep Saha in connection with allegations of extortion, illegal occupation of government land and high-interest lending, officials said.
Saha, 43, was arrested by Malda district police on Tuesday night and produced before a court in Malda on Wednesday. Police sought 14 days’ custody for further investigation.
A resident of Dakshin Baluchar in Malda Town, Saha has been accused of allegedly occupying government land for setting up restaurants, demanding extortion from local traders and trapping economically vulnerable people, particularly women from slum areas, in high-interest loan arrangements.
Saha is also known locally for his association with former Trinamool Congress minister and English Bazar Municipality chairman Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury. During the previous TMC government, he had allegedly built considerable influence in the area. His alleged activities had also led to comparisons with former Sandeshkhali TMC strongman Sheikh Shahjahan, who was arrested in connection with multiple allegations.
According to police, several complaints against Saha were lodged at English Bazar police station after the BJP came to power in West Bengal following the April-May Assembly elections.
One complaint was filed on August 5 by Mampi Bhowmik, who alleged that she had become involved in Saha’s high-interest lending operations. Police registered a case against him under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on August 6.
Police said Saha subsequently went into hiding and repeated efforts to locate him initially proved unsuccessful. Residents, however, claimed that he continued to move around the Baluchar area, from where he was eventually arrested.
Malda Superintendent of Police Anupam Singh confirmed the arrest, saying Saha was taken into custody on the basis of specific allegations.
Saha denied the charges while being taken to court and said, “Everything is politics.”
Chowdhury has not publicly commented on the arrest so far.
English Bazar MLA and BJP leader Amlan Bhaduri said the arrest followed multiple allegations relating to government land, intimidation and illegal high-interest lending. He alleged that people had been reluctant to complain against Saha during the previous TMC government because of fear, and said the present government was committed to maintaining law and order.
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