Ex-minister Aroop Biswas’ brother held in alleged extortion in Tollygunge film industry

File photo of Swarup Biswas. | Photo credit: DEBASISH BHADURI

Former Sports Minister Aroop Biswas’ brother, Swarup Biswas, was arrested by the Kolkata Police on Thursday night, June 4, for allegedly extorting money from the Tollygunge film industry while also allegedly harassing a 42-year-old make-up artist.

According to New Alipore Police Station officials, Mr. Swarup Biswas, former president of Federation of Film Technicians and Workers of Eastern India (FCTWEI), was arrested on the basis of an FIR filed by a make-up artist who is a resident of Regent Park area.

In her complaint, the woman claimed that she had been out of work for almost two years and when she approached the job offer, she was asked to pay money. She also claimed that she was threatened after she failed to comply with the demand.

“She said she was a member of the Tollygunge Make-up Artist Federation and had no job for the last two years. On August 20, 2025, she came to Suruchi Sangha in New Alipore to meet Mr. Biswas for work. But Mr. Biswas and his associates asked for money,” they told her and threatened her that if she did not provide any money for an FIR.

Later, the woman further came to Mr. Biswas on Thursday when he and his associates misbehaved with her and also asked her to sexually compromise with them to get a job in the industry, the officer said.

“She also alleged that one of her colleagues, Kartick Bhattacharya, had to pay Mr. Biswas ₹45,000 for a job in December last year. According to her claim, Mr. Biswas collected more than ₹22 lakh from various persons in the name of the job. She accused him of supporting a system in which “blacklisted” workers are allegedly denied or denied ample opportunities. with an alleged “union paradise” in the labor industry in cinema,” the officer added.

The case was submitted according to Section 75(1)(ii), Section 308(4), Section 308(5), Section 109, Section 351(3), Section 61 of the BNS as well as Section 25, Section 27 of the Weapons Act.

Protest against Swarup Biswas

The arrest sparked protests outside the New Alipore police station where a large number of people gathered and raised slogans against Mr. Biswas. Many protesters alleged that for years he exercised undue influence in the film and television industry, extorting money from artists, technicians and other workers by promising jobs.

Meanwhile, many actors and technicians also claimed that they were banned for allegedly raising their voices against Mr. Biswas and his influence in the industry. Ever since the BJP government came to power last month, such accusations and anger against him started flying thick when BJP MLA actor Rudranil Ghosh also met with technicians and actors last month.

Published – 05 Jun 2026 12:49 IST