core sector communique

Police Arrest Noted Industrialist – Rajib Maitra 

In a freak case, Mr. Kallol Mukherjee and his son Kripan Mukherjee, noted industrialists of the Asansol – Durgapur belt was arrested yesterday.  Sources say that yesterday was the foundation stone laying ceremony of the expansion project of their Diamond Bottling Plant (brewery unit) in Disergarh, in Burdwan District. Hon. Mr. Moloy Ghatak, the Law Minister of West Bengal, along with the local Legislator and Chairman of the Municipality, Mr Ujjwal Chatterjee were present on the occasion.

Within half an hour of the closing of the ceremonies, the Asst Commissioner (Asansol - Durgapur) arrested the industrialist and his son. This unprecedented arrest has naturally jittered the industrial circles with many raising questions about the reasons for the same.

According to sources in the know, the said company had given some insertions in the vernacular dailies marking the occasion. Apparently innocent, the advertisements carried pictures of Mr. Moloy Ghatak, Mr. Ujjwal Chatterjee, Mr. Kripan Mukherjee and above all, of the Honourable Chief Minister, Ms. Mamata Banerjee.

The way in which the Chief Minister’s photograph was used by a private party (that too, a brewery) without the requisite permissions alluding her blessings angered the CM to such an extent that party insiders say, she summoned Moloy Ghatak immediately and set the wheels in motion that led to the arrest.

The industrialist, along with his son was charged on four counts and was made to cool their heels at the Kulti Police Station.

Mr. Kallol Mukherjee’s industrial interests are spread over cement, clinker (the only one in West Bengal), bitumen, fire sealant, brewery etc. He was also one of the main contractors of ECL and DPSCL.

Allegedly close to erstwhile Congress strongman and currently Trinamool MP Mr Somen Mitra, Mr. Kallol Mukjerjee is also related to Ex Loksabha Speaker Mr Somnath Chatterjee and TMC MP Mr Kalyan Banerjee. The arrest of such a well connected and established industrialist is naturally causing a stir and political observers are pointing at much bigger background power plays in the TMC inner circles as the cause of the arrest. Others allege that the whole thing has been stage managed by his industrial rival – a prominent coal mine operator and developer.