Police have arrested the driver of former Contai municipality chairman Soumendu Adhikari on charges of corruption in the construction of a stall on land belonging to a crematorium.
Gopal Singh is a resident of Athilagarhi village in East Midnapore and had worked as a driver for Contai municipality in the past and would ferry Soumendu.
But at one time, he used to drive Soumendu’s personal car. “He retired just a few months ago,” said a source.
Soumendu, the brother of Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, was accused of corruption in the construction of a stall adjacent to the Rangamati crematorium in Contai.
Municipality chairman Subalkumar Manna reportedly lodged a written complaint with Contai police station recently, naming Soumendu, assistant architect Dilip Kumar Bera and contractor Satinath Das Adhikari.
The police arrested Dilip and Satinath a few days ago.
Contai subdivisional police officer Somnath Saha said: “Gopal Singh, the driver of former municipal chairman Soumendu Adhikari, has been arrested as part of the investigation.”
Justice Vivek Chowdhury of Calcutta High Court had said the police could continue the investigation, but couldn’t take “stern action” against Soumendu.
