Kolkata, July 5 (IANS). Notorious sand mafia Ajay Hari has been arrested from Paschim Bardhaman district of West Bengal.
Police of Maldighi outpost of West Bardhaman district arrested him from Bidbihar area on Saturday night. It is alleged that properties, houses and vehicles worth crores of rupees were purchased with the money earned from the sand smuggling racket.
Police said that he will be produced in Durgapur Sub-Divisional Court today. The police will seek his custody for questioning in connection with the investigation of the sand smuggling case. The police will try to find out who else is involved in this gang and how the entire racket worked.
According to the police, Ajay Hari is considered very close to the leaders of Trinamool Congress. Allegations of extracting sand from Ajay River in West Bengal have been going on for a long time. However, it is alleged that the police and administration did not take any action against him during the tenure of the previous government.
According to local sources, the sand mafia in Durgapur of West Bardhaman district flourished during the CPIM era and its influence increased during the Trinamool era.
Ajay Hari used to extract sand illegally from the river and then smuggle it. After the fall of the Left Front government in 2011, he grew closer to Trinamool leaders over time. Police said that since then his wealth has also increased manifold and he has accumulated assets worth crores of rupees.
A senior officer of Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate said that Hari owned houses, luxury cars, tractors, dumpers, sand extraction machines and JCBs. Not only this, he was also involved in the brick kiln business. With time he also built an ashram.
However, after the change of government in the state, steps have been taken to stop the illegal sand smuggling racket. The BJP government has made it clear that any illegal or immoral work going on during the era of Trinamool Congress will not be tolerated. The police have been asked to take strict action against criminals and mafia.
Hari was absconding and living in hiding ever since BJP came to power in West Bengal. However, he finally came under the grip of the law and the police arrested him.
–IANS
ASH/PM