Extortion cuffs on TMC panchayat pradhan

Kolkata: A Trinamool panchayat pradhan from Jangra was arrested on Sunday by Bidhannagar cops on charges of extortion. Rita Gayen, pradhan of Jangra-Hatiara-2 Gram Panchayat under Rajarhat block, allegedly approved the construction of several buildings on wetlands and govt land in her panchayat area in exchange for large sums of money. Cops also claimed she took hefty bribes from promoters for constructing several multi-storey buildings in the area.A complaint had been filed a few months ago and cops detained her from New Town on Saturday and arrested her. She was produced in Barasat District Court on Sunday, with cops seeking police custody. Cops declined to comment on who filed the case against her.Gayen is known to be close to former Trinamool MLA Tapas Chatterjee. No reaction has been received from either Rita's family or Chatterjee regarding this incident.Two days ago, Bahar Ali Laskar, karmadhyaksha of Rajarhat Panchayat Samiti PWD, was arrested over syndicate and extortion allegations.