Bibhas Chandra Adhikari, a former Trinamool Congress (TMC) block president linked to West Bengal’s teacher recruitment scam, was arrested on Sunday for allegedly operating a fraudulent "International Police & Crime Investigation Bureau" from a Noida residence. The elaborate racket, run alongside his son Arghya and four others, mimicked Interpol’s branding and issued bogus legal notices to extort money from unsuspecting victims, according to a TOI report.
Adhikari, who owns multiple teachers’ training colleges in West Bengal, had previously been questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the cash-for-job scam. Despite denying the allegations in 2023, fresh probes uncovered his latest deception, a sham police bureau complete with forged documents, uniforms and a professional-looking website featuring a Wilmington, US, address.
The Noida-based fake bureau was not Adhikari’s only venture. Investigators found he had also established a "National Bureau of Social Investigation and Social Justice," with his son listed as its national secretary general. According to TOI, the group exploited property and construction disputes, sending counterfeit legal summons that pressured victims into paying "donations" or facing fictitious penalties.
DCP (Central Noida) Shakti Mohan Avasthy explained their modus operandi: "They issued notices resembling government orders, coercing individuals into settlements while threatening legal action." Police sources cited by TOI added that the accused used police-like insignia and uniforms to lend credibility to their operations.??
Adhikari’s history of dubious enterprises includes a March 2024 case in West Bengal, where his son and driver were booked for affixing an "Interpol" board to their vehicle. Earlier, in April 2023, CBI raids targeted his properties in Birbhum and Kolkata amid the teacher recruitment probe. Investigators allege he maintained ties with scam-accused individuals like Manik Bhattacharya and Kuntal Ghosh.
Despite the scrutiny, Adhikari attempted to pivot into politics, announcing the formation of the "All India Arya Mahasabha" party last year. His arrest now exposes a brazen attempt to exploit legal fears among the public, with authorities uncovering four linked bank accounts used in the scheme.
While the extent of the fraud in Noida remains unclear, police are examining whether similar operations were conducted from Adhikari’s alleged fake bureau in Kolkata’s Beliaghata. With charges spanning forgery, impersonation and extortion, the case underscores the audacity of the racket, one that thrived under the guise of officialdom until its dramatic unraveling.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
