Sushanta Ghosh Arrest: Former Kolkata councillor Sushanta Ghosh has been arrested in Puri by Kolkata Police STF in connection with an alleged ₹3 crore hawker extortion case. Investigators are also probing multi-crore assets linked to the former councillor.
STF Tracks Down Ex-Ward 108 Councillor Sushanta Ghosh After Weeks of Evasion; Probe Expands Into Alleged Multi-Crore Assets
By Qalam Times News Network
Kolkata | June 17, 2026
KOLKATA: Sushanta Ghosh Arrest has emerged as a significant development in the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption and extortion involving former civic representatives in West Bengal. Former Kolkata Municipal Corporation councillor Sushanta Ghosh was arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata Police from Puri, Odisha, on Wednesday after remaining out of reach of investigators for several weeks.
The Sushanta Ghosh Arrest follows allegations that the former Ward No. 108 councillor illegally collected nearly ₹3 crore from hawkers operating in his area. According to police sources, members of a local hawkers’ committee lodged a formal complaint at Anandapur Police Station, accusing Ghosh of extortion and financial misconduct. Soon after the complaint was filed, he allegedly went into hiding, prompting an extensive search operation.
Investigators said police tracked his movements into Odisha during the manhunt. However, when officers closed in on him, Ghosh allegedly abandoned his vehicle on a roadway and fled on foot. His driver, Sujit Chowdhury, was arrested at the scene, but Ghosh managed to evade capture. Following sustained surveillance and intelligence-led operations, STF officials eventually located and arrested him in Puri.
The former councillor had stepped down last month as Chairman of Borough Committee No. 12 amid mounting controversy. However, he did not resign from his councillor position before the Kolkata Municipal Corporation board was dissolved.
Police are now examining Ghosh’s financial records and property holdings. Preliminary findings reportedly indicate the existence of multiple assets linked to him, including properties allegedly held through benami arrangements. Investigators suspect that the total value of these holdings could run into several hundred crore rupees. Authorities are expected to seek custodial interrogation to determine the source of these assets and uncover any wider financial network.
The arrest comes amid a broader anti-corruption drive in the state. Since the change in government, several former ministers, legislators, and civic representatives have come under investigation or faced arrest in various cases. With Ghosh’s detention, the number of former Kolkata Municipal Corporation councillors arrested in connection with different criminal allegations has reportedly risen to eleven.
Officials indicated that further arrests and financial scrutiny may follow as investigators continue to probe the alleged extortion racket and associated property transactions.
