TMC’s Ajit Mahto arrested in Rs10 lakh job scam

Mahato had contested the 2026 Assembly elections as the TMC candidate from the Gopiballavpur constituency.

Officers apprehended the political leader from his residence on Thursday night following a formal complaint.

A local court granted eight days of police remand on Friday after investigators requested two weeks of custody.

The case originated from a complaint filed by 24-year-old Sajal Das, a resident of Bachurdoba in Jhargram.

Das alleged that Mahato promised him a permanent Forest Department job by citing high-level political connections.

Trusting these assurances, the victim paid the accused Rs 10 lakh across four separate instalments.

The transactions took place between December 2024 and March 2026, according to official statements.

Mahato failed to secure the promised government appointment and refused to return the collected money.

The victim claimed that Mahato later issued death threats while demanding an additional Rs 2 lakh.

Investigating officers suspect the accused targeted several other unemployed youths through similar recruitment scams.

Law enforcement officials registered Case No. 474/2026 on October 29 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Charges include multiple statutory sections covering cheating, criminal intimidation, and organized fraud mechanisms.

Detectives are currently tracing the money trail to locate the misappropriated funds from the alleged victim.

Investigators are also determining whether accomplice networks assisted Mahato in running the fraud scheme.

Further legal proceedings remain active as police continue collecting evidence across the district.