A primary school teacher in Jalpaiguri town, who was formerly a member of a Trinamul-backed teachers’ organisation, has allegedly gone into hiding after duping several persons of lakhs of rupees by promising them jobs as teachers.

A number of complaints has been filed against accused Somnath Basu. Police are in search of him.

Basu’s disappearance made Sanjib Ghosh, a local Trinamul leader, announce on social media a cash reward to anybody offering information on the missing teacher.

Ghosh said Basu took money from many people while promising them jobs as primary school teachers.

“A number of people in Jalpaiguri and Siliguri paid him. He promised even one of my relatives a similar job to.... He neither provided jobs nor returned the money. As he has gone missing, I announced a cash reward of Rs 20,000 for anybody who finds him,” said Ghosh.

Local sources said Basu of New Circular Road in Jalpaiguri town, a teacher at a primary school in Kranti block of Malbazar, has not been seen for a while.

“His family is there but he is not seen. Earlier, some people who had paid him wanted him to return the money. He gave cheques that bounced,” said a neighbour.

“Police and administration are looking into the complaints. As Basu is away from the school for weeks without taking leave, his salary has been stopped,” said Lakhyamohan Roy, chairman of the district primary school council. Trinamul leaders have distanced themselves from Basu.

Swapan Basak, the Jalpaiguri district chief of Trinamul Prathamik Shikshak Samiti, said: “He (Basu) used to be a member but has not renewed his membership.”