Bengal: TMC leader Swarup Biswas arrested in extortion case amid Tollywood federation turmoil

According to local media reports, Swarup Biswas also faces allegations of sexual harassment.

He has been accused of extorting money from technicians working in the Tollywood film industry.

The arrest comes at a time when Arup Biswas himself is facing legal scrutiny after an FIR was lodged against him in connection with the ongoing "Messi controversy".

Multiple allegations against Swarup Biswas

Aajkaal, quoting sources, reported that Swarup Biswas had allegedly been collecting money from technicians associated with the Bengali film industry.

Apart from extortion, allegations of misconduct and harassment have also surfaced against him.

Swarup Biswas has been taken to New Alipore PS following his arrest. Photo: IBNS arrangement

He is expected to be produced before the Alipore Court on Friday.

Federation crisis deepens after Papiya Adhikari's intervention

The arrest comes against the backdrop of growing unrest within Tollywood's technicians' bodies.

On Wednesday, newly elected Tollygunge MLA Papiya Adhikari announced the dissolution of the existing federation structure and called for an end to the alleged monopoly of the "Biswas Brothers" in the industry.

She advocated bringing the entire Tollywood industry under a single umbrella organisation.

Chaos at technicians' meeting

Tensions spilled over on Thursday during a meeting of technicians at Technicians' Studio.

The gathering was called after federation office-bearers Mohammad Hasan and Babai were asked to step down from their respective posts as secretary and assistant secretary of the Managers' Guild.

Due to the large turnout, the meeting had to be shifted to a nearby field. However, the event quickly descended into chaos as two rival groups clashed.

One faction backed Hasan and Babai, while the other demanded their removal. Protesters raised slogans of "chor, chor" (thief, thief) against the duo, while eggs and bricks were reportedly hurled during the confrontation.

Police from Regent Park Police Station were deployed to bring the situation under control.

Questions raised over leadership and 'ban culture'

Technicians alleged that Hasan and Babai were unwilling to relinquish their positions despite growing opposition.

Questions have also been raised about their assets and sources of income.

Several technicians accused them of perpetuating a "ban culture" within Tollywood, claiming that workers and artists were being unfairly denied opportunities and subjected to pressure tactics.