Kolkata: Bengal National Chamber of Commerce & Industry president Ashok Kumar Banik was removed from the post on Saturday after he was arrested on Friday on charges of extortion, criminal intimidation and cheating. Produced before a Barasat court, Banik was remanded to five days of police custody.Banik was arrested by cops in connection with the alleged takeover of the Vivekananda Sports Foundation Trust, founded by late BJP neta Tapan Sikdar, following a complaint of financial irregularities and misappropriation of trust assets lodged by BJP MLA Sourav Sikdar — the former Union minister’s nephew.The Vivekananda Sports Foundation Trust, established to promote sports among children, was headed by Tapan Sikdar until his death in 2014. The complaint alleged that in 2016, Banik and his associates illegally took control of the trust and a flat owned by it in Kaikhali.Sourav lodged a complaint with Airport PS in 2016 over the alleged takeover. However, the complaint alleged that Banik, who was close to former state fire services minister Sujit Bose, used the minister’s influence to evade further investigation.Following the change in govt in Bengal, trust members demanded the trust’s properties be restored. Amid mounting protests, Banik allegedly resigned from the trust two months ago and handed back possession of the Kaikhali flat, cops said. However, several articles kept inside the flat were allegedly not returned.The complaint alleged that an examination of the trust’s financial records revealed substantial irregularities, prompting the MLA to lodge a fresh complaint with Baguiati police on Friday.“Ashoke Kumar Banik, being the acting president of BNCCI, has been suspended from all capacities at the emergent executive committee meeting held at the chamber today at 3pm, unanimously, till the disposal of the criminal case pending against him at the Baguiati Police Station. It has been directed that the name and brand of the chamber shall not be used by him in any manner whatsoever till proven not guilty,” said Ritwik Das, chairman of the Industry Standing Committee, BNCCI.