West Bengal ACB Busts Sand Extortion Syndicate in Jhargram, Arrests Police Constable and 4 Middlemen

West Bengal's Anti-Corruption Branch has arrested a police constable and three middlemen in Jhargram for extorting money from illegal sand traders, seizing ₹5.70 lakh in cash.

In a major crackdown on institutional corruption, the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of West Bengal has dismantled an extortion syndicate operating in the Jhargram district. Targeting illegal levying within law enforcement, officials apprehended a constable attached to the Jhargram Police Station alongside three associated brokers. The operation was launched following repeated grievances regarding unlawful collections from operators of sand transport vehicles in the region.

Extortion Syndicate and Recovery of ₹5.70 Lakh Cash
During the operation, ACB officers recovered cash amounting to ₹5,70,000 from the accused individuals. The arrested constable has been identified as Ratan Pramanik, deployed at the Jhargram Police Station. The three middlemen colluding in the scheme were identified as Shantanu Barik, Dipankar Barik, and Ravi Barik, all residents of Shyamsundarpur village under the Bandhgora Gram Panchayat. This network actively intercepted trucks and tractors carrying sand across the district to collect illicit fees.

ACB Trap and Exposure of 'Jhargram Manager'
The Anti-Corruption Department initiated the sting after receiving precise intelligence that a police official was utilizing local agents to extract money from commercial vehicle operators. ACB operatives laid a trap and caught all three brokers red-handed while accepting bribe money from a truck owner. Subsequent interrogation revealed that the collected funds were funneled directly to Constable Pramanik. Investigators also found that the main broker had stored the constable's contact details on his mobile phone under the alias 'Jhargram Manager'. The seized cash includes the day's collection as well as ₹5 lakh gathered from previous extortions.

Chain of Anti-Corruption Crackdowns in Jhargram
Probing officials are currently investigating the broader network to identify any additional police personnel or local contacts involved in the operation. This incident marks another high-profile arrest in the district in recent weeks. Earlier in August, ACB officers arrested Bimal Saha, a Sub-Assistant Engineer stationed at the Jamboni BDO office in Jhargram, after a sub-contractor lodged a formal bribery complaint, leading to Saha being caught red-handed during a trap operation.

What this means for you
Across India: Demonstrates strict enforcement against illegal bribery syndicates involving law enforcement officers and local middlemen.

In Jhargram: Provides immediate relief to sand transport operators from illegal levies while demanding greater accountability in local policing.

Questions & Answers

1. Who was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in Jhargram?
The ACB arrested Jhargram Police Station constable Ratan Pramanik alongside three middlemen: Shantanu Barik, Dipankar Barik, and Ravi Barik.

2. How much cash was seized from the accused during the operation?
ACB officials recovered ₹5,70,000 in cash from the possession of the accused individuals.

3. How did the illegal sand extortion syndicate operate?
Middlemen extracted money from sand-laden trucks and tractors, which was then funneled directly to the police constable.

4. What significant mobile contact detail was uncovered during the probe?
Investigators discovered that the lead broker had saved the accused constable's phone number under the alias 'Jhargram Manager'.

5. Were there other recent bribery arrests in Jhargram?
Yes, in August, the ACB caught Sub-Assistant Engineer Bimal Saha from the Jamboni BDO office red-handed while taking a bribe.

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