Police have recovered more than 3 kilograms of gold from the residence of an aide of arrested Trinamool Congress leader Sabyasachi Dutta on Tuesday, as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged extortion case. The recovery was made during searches conducted by the Bidhannagar Police.
According to investigators, the gold was seized from the ancestral house of Tina Bhowmik Saha, the Zilla Parishad member who is said to be close to former TMC MLA Sabyasachi Dutta. Officials are now trying to determine the source of the gold and whether it is linked to the allegations being investigated. The recovered gold has been taken into police custody for further examination.
Police had earlier arrested former Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation chairman and Trinamool Congress leader Sabyasachi Dutta in connection with an extortion case registered on the complaint of a businessman. The complainant alleged that he was forced to pay more than ₹1 crore in 2018. Dutta has denied the allegations against him.
During earlier search operations at properties linked to Dutta, investigators had also seized several documents, including receipts related to large gold purchases, which are being examined as part of the investigation. Officials are looking into whether the recovered assets are disproportionate to the known sources of income of those involved.
The investigation is continuing, and police have said that further action will depend on the findings of the ongoing probe. No official conclusion has yet been reached regarding the ownership or legality of the seized gold.
