Extortion Probe Uncovers Possible 10‑Year Scam Targeting Havda Business Community

A fresh investigation by West Bengal police has revealed a potentially decade‑long extortion racket centered on Havda’s municipal machinery. The scheme allegedly involved a law officer from the Havda Municipal Corporation and a senior figure from an NGO who demanded large sums from hotel proprietors, private hospital owners and real‑estate entrepreneurs. The trigger for the probe was a complaint lodged on 20 July by hotelier Ashish Kapoor, who recounted that NGO director Ramesh Jaiswal visited his hotel on 18 July, claimed the structures were illegal and warned of demolition. Jaiswal is said to have offered to withdraw the threat if the municipal law officer Sudeesh Jaiswal received ₹5 million. When Kapoor refused to pay, Jaiswal returned the next day and threatened his life, prompting the formal complaint. Police arrested both the municipal officer and the NGO official at Golabari police station and are also questioning the NGO’s chief for possible involvement. The authorities are now vetting whether additional municipal officials were part of the alleged network, which they suspect has been extorting businesses for about ten years.