West Bengal

IIE Digital Desk: The investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving the Shishumangal Samiti in Cooch Behar’s Dinhata has widened with the arrest of another Trinamool Congress leader.

Partha Saha, a former president of the Trinamool Congress youth wing in Dinhata block, was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the case. A Dinhata court on Thursday sent him to five days of police custody, police sources said.

Saha is believed to be a close associate of Sayantan Guha, son of former West Bengal minister Udayan Guha, who is already in custody in the same case. According to investigators, Saha and Sayantan also had business interests together.

Police said both Saha and Sayantan had been on the run for several weeks and were reportedly seen together in Kolkata during that period. Investigators are now hoping that Saha’s arrest will help them trace Sayantan and shed more light on the wider network allegedly involved in the case.

The case dates back to a complaint filed at Dinhata police station on June 11. The complaint named 14 people, including Udayan Guha and a medical practitioner. The allegations relate to the formation of the Shishumangal Samiti and the collection of money from individuals and business establishments on the promise of supporting child healthcare at the local subdivisional hospital and other social welfare activities.

Several people have already been arrested in connection with the case. They include Udayan Guha and Bishi Dhar, a former Trinamool block president in Dinhata town. Jaydeep Ghosh, another person considered close to Udayan, was also arrested earlier but was later released on bail.

Meanwhile, complainant Rupam Saha has written to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, seeking a probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). He has alleged that the police investigation has lost momentum.

A special investigation team has been carrying out searches at multiple locations, including in Kolkata, as police continue their efforts to locate the remaining accused. An investigating officer said Partha Saha’s questioning could provide important information about the case.

The latest arrest has also added a political angle to the controversy. BJP MLA Ajay Ray of Dinhata said those found involved in the alleged corruption would have to face the law.

The investigation is continuing, with police examining the alleged flow of funds and trying to establish the individual roles of those named in the Shishumangal Samiti case.