TMC man named in FIR arrested in Surendranath College cash, arms case

Kolkata: Cops on Thursday arrested Paritosh Dutta in connection with the alleged irregularities and recovery of cash and arms at Surendranath College. Dutta had been named in the FIR. The Trinamool functionary and college vendor was arrested from Burdwan.

Dutta is reportedly a close associate of former governing body member Debasish Bandyopadhyay, who is the primary accused in this case. Bandyopadhyay is on the run.

Cops probing the recovery of a firearm and two suitcases stashed with cash — most of it destroyed by termites — from the college union room on Tuesday booked the two Trinamool functionaries under the Arms Act, criminal trespass, criminal intimidation and sections under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

Investigators alleged that Bandyopadhyay and Dutta entered into a criminal conspiracy and forcefully locked several rooms on the ground floor of the college, including the students’ union room, using them for their own purposes over an extended period.

The college submitted a detailed report to the higher education department on Wednesday. Sources said the department has asked college officials to keep ready the governing body resolution passed to construct these rooms as restrooms, along with the purpose.

The source added that the college authorities may also receive an order to submit the purpose of constructing this floor, the reason for constructing additional classrooms and the source of the funding. College authorities, however, told TOI they are yet to get any official order from the department.

Investigators are questioning Dutta to gather information about Bandyopadhyay’s whereabouts.