Gaffar Mollah, a local strongman arrested in connection with the Vedic Village violence, was close to both CPM as well as Trinamool Congress leaders in Rajarhat and surrounding areas, sources in the police said.

During his interrogation, Gaffar is said to have admitted that Azizul Islam alias Khude, brother of Trinamool MLA Arabul Islam, was his mentor and that he was also close to local CPM leaders who used him for land grabbing for Vedic Village as well as contracting labour for the projects in the area.

State Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen, however, said no evidence has emerged against any politician. “No name of political leaders has surfaced as yet. However, an investigation is on regarding the violence in Vedic Village, murder and land grab,” he said, adding it would be better if some more “complaints poured in”.

North 24 Parganas SP Rahul Srivastav said Gaffar is revealing crucial information during the interrogation. “We are not concerned with politics. Anybody directly associated with Gaffar in the case will be arrested.”

According to sources, before the Trinamool wrested power in the local panchayat in Rajarhat in 2008, Gaffar worked with local CPM leaders.

Around 2000, the alleged kingpin was a labour contractor who took to supplying buildings material. Later, he formed three syndicates — G Enterprise, KGN Enterprise and A M Builders. In all these, local CPM and Trinamool leaders allegedly had interests.

“Gaffar worked for R K Modi, the arrested MD of Vedic Village, and helped him in grabbing land in the area. Biplab Biswas, assistant manager of the resort, identified the land to be grabbed. Gaffar then took help from local politicians,” said a senior police officer at Rajarhat police station.

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