Cops take Swarup home for spot search

Kolkata: There was high drama at New Alipore on Monday morning after a large police contingent along with central forces personnel reached the Sahapur Colony residence of arrested Trinamool functionary Swarup Biswas and his brother, former state minister Aroop Biswas, and discovered a heavily fortified room with a high-tech digital lock. They were unable to open the lock as Swarup refused to provide the code. The police subsequently summoned a locksmith but the advanced digital mechanics of the lock thwarted all manual attempts to bypass it.

Cops had taken Swarup to his residence for a “spot search and reconstruction of crime”.

Investigators suspect the strong room serves as a vault housing critical files, financial ledgers, and property documents linked to the brothers’ widespread operations. Alternative technical methods and cutting tools are currently being arranged to breach the room, police sources said.

Swarup, the former president of Federation of Cine Technicians & Workers of Eastern India (FCTWEI), was arrested on June 4 following a complaint by a Tollywood makeup artist. He is accused of running an aggressive “dictatorship” and “syndicate raj” in the Tollygunge film industry, blacklisting professionals who refused to comply with financial and sexual demands, and allegedly extorting over Rs 22 lakh from job seekers. Furthermore, Swarup is accused of exploiting his brother’s political clout to illegally occupy land for the Suruchi Sangha club and running a luxurious hotel on its second floor for illicit activities.

He faces charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act, including extortion, financial fraud, sexual harassment, and attempt to murder.

The Alipore court last Friday had remanded Swarup in police custody till June 18.

His lawyers have strongly refuted the claims, calling the charges politically motivated.

It was not immediately known if Aroop was at home at the time the cops brought his brother home. Police sources claimed he has “not been tracked”.

Aroop on Monday avoided meeting investigators at Bidhannagar South Police Station regarding the “Messi incident” — the GOAT India Tour-Kolkata Edition featuring Lionel Messi — last Dec. The chief organizer has accused Aroop of criminal intimidation and illegal diversion of complimentary tickets and passes. Having received no protection from the Calcutta High Court, the police said they are planning strong legal action on Aroop.