KOLKATA — Following the arrest of a notorious history-sheeter facing more than 15 criminal charges, local law enforcement officials expressed profound shock Tuesday that a man they had granted bail to following a 2017 murder was allegedly involved in illegal activities. The arrest was made by a central probe agency, which recently seized Rs 1.47 crore in cash and a country-made revolver from the suspect's premises.

"We had no idea he was running an extortion and land-grabbing syndicate," said a spokesperson for the local police, whose own Deputy Commissioner was recently raided by the central agency in connection with the same network. "He was so elusive that we couldn't find him, despite his frequent public appearances and highly active social media presence."

The central agency's intervention intensified after investigators discovered suspicious financial transactions between the syndicate and the Deputy Commissioner, who reportedly owns five flats in a secondary building. A real estate managing director involved in the network was also arrested after Rs 1.2 crore in cash was found at his residence.

"It is deeply troubling to learn that criminal elements have been operating with such impunity in our city," the police spokesperson added, noting that the department plans to vigorously review the matter just as soon as their Deputy Commissioner finishes responding to his previously ignored summons in a separate coal scam case.