Key Facts
In a predawn operation on Saturday, a team from Salboni police station in West Midnapore searched the residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee in Kolkata's Kalighat area. The raid was conducted in connection with a land fraud case where Banerjee's personal assistant, Sumit Roy, is an accused.
The search lasted about 90 minutes, but the accused was not found and no items were seized, according to a senior West Midnapore police official.
Details of the Raid
The police team arrived at Banerjee's house at 121 Kalighat Road around 2am on Saturday. They had been tracking Roy's mobile tower location, which indicated he was in Kalighat. After a four-hour standoff, Kolkata Police's disaster management group was called to break open the locks. The search began at 6.30am and concluded at 7.40am.
Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rushed to the scene after being alerted and was present during the search along with a lawyer. She inquired about the case and the search operation.
Political Reactions
The TMC termed the raid as "political vendetta" in a post on X. TMC MP Mahua Moitra accused the BJP of intimidation, writing, "Zero seizure, 100pc vendetta." Former BJP MP Locket Chatterjee countered, saying Mamata and Abhishek are "past now" and must face the Constitution.
The raid comes amid ongoing legal troubles for Abhishek Banerjee, who has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate and the CID in separate cases. A Tripura court also issued a summons for June 22.
What Readers Should Know
- The raid was part of a land fraud investigation involving Sumit Roy.
- No arrests or seizures were made.
- Mamata Banerjee's presence underscored the political sensitivity of the operation.
- The TMC is currently facing internal rifts after electoral defeat, with several MPs claiming to be the "real TMC."
FAQ
Why did police raid Abhishek Banerjee's house?
Police were searching for his personal assistant Sumit Roy, who is an accused in a land fraud case.
Was anything seized during the raid?
No items were seized and the accused was not found.
Who else was present during the search?
Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee were present, along with a lawyer.