Bengal: Ex-TMC MLA's son held on cheating, extortion charges

Kolkata, Jul 13 (PTI) Former Trinamool Congress MLA Nirmal Ghosh's son Tirthankar Ghosh was arrested from West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Monday for allegedly being involved in cheating and extortion activities. Tirthankar, a former Panihati municipality councillor, was apprehended from the Dakshineswar area, a senior officer said. "The police had been searching for him for several days over complaints of extortion, cheating, life threats and the attempt to take away winning lottery tickets," he said. Eggs were hurled at Tirthankar when he was taken to the Barrackpore court. Former MLA Nirmal Ghosh was also wanted in the extortion case, the police said. He made a public appearance at a meeting of the rebel Trinamool Congress faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee on July 11, sparking speculation in political circles over how he remained beyond the reach of the police. However, Banerjee dissociated himself, saying he had not invited Ghosh to any meeting. PTI BSM BDC