BJP leader arrested in New Town over alleged flat occupation and intimidation case

MP, July 18, 2026, Kolkata : High drama unfolded at a housing complex in New Town on Thursday night after local residents confronted BJP leader Barun Biswas, who was later arrested by the New Town Police Station on charges of extortion and criminal intimidation.

Biswas allegedly occupied a flat belonging to an elderly woman in the housing complex and defaulted on rent worth lakhs of rupees.

According to sources, the flat owner, Anita Banerjee, filed a formal complaint against Biswas on July 11 at the New Town Police Station, alleging that the BJP leader had taken her apartment on rent but refused to vacate it even after the lease agreement expired.

Banerjee alleged that Biswas had not paid any rent since March 2019, accumulating outstanding dues of about Rs 16,00,000.

The elderly woman further alleged that she was forced to pay municipal taxes and maintenance fees from her own pocket, while Biswas allegedly used his political influence to ignore eviction notices.

Earlier on July 11, Banerjee had filed a complaint against the BJP leader alleging that she and her son were threatened with death if she did not hand over the flat and pay him Rs 50,00,000.

The situation reached a boiling point on Thursday when Banerjee visited her property to confront Biswas, leading to a heated altercation.

Hearing the commotion, a large number of local residents gathered at the spot in support of the elderly homeowner.

An angry crowd surrounded Biswas, raising slogans against him.

On being informed, cops from the New Town Police Station reached the spot and detained Biswas.

Protesters were seen pelting eggs at the BJP leader while police personnel struggled to form a protective ring around him.

Sources in the saffron party, however, claimed that Biswas was not a leader in their party. He had joined the BJP sometime after 2020.