Shibaji Panja, an entrepreneur and member of the West Bengal government’s task force on information and culture, has been held by Indian customs department over an alleged financial fraud.
The entrepreneur was detained by police on his return from Bangladesh at the immigration counter.
Panja had accompanied Mamata on her trip to Bangladesh that ended on Saturday. He has been a close aide of the West Bengal chief minister who also helped crafting the “brand Mamata.”
Reports from Hindustan Times suggest that Delhi police had issued a notice for the arrest of Panja on February 19. They were looking for him in an economic offense case, the details of which were not available till early morning on Sunday.
Reportedly, he is one of prime organisers of Mamata’s art exhibitions and is described as Mamata’s “man everyday.”
His arrest adds to the embarrassment of the West Bengal chief minister as her party is already marred in controversy over the Saradha chit fund scam.
He was been taken to to the Barrackpore court after the arrest.