The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Monday initiated a probe into the legality of properties owned by Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress, and some of his associates. Civic officials visited several of Banerjee's properties, including 'Shantiniketan' on Harish Mukherjee Road, in the afternoon and pasted notices under Section 401 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act.
First Step in Probe
The notice under Section 401 is the KMC's initial step when it begins investigating alleged irregularities in a property. A KMC official confirmed that notices were pasted on several properties owned by various individuals, including Abhishek Banerjee. The civic board has been under Trinamool's control since 2010.
Trinamool's Response
Senior Trinamool leaders stated that the KMC's move has upset the Banerjee family, which has decided to challenge it legally. Sources indicated that several party leaders are in touch with the family and are strategizing the next steps. The process of collecting all necessary legal documents and getting them vetted has begun. Lawyers are being consulted, and preparations for a legal battle have started. A party senior described the move not as politics but as vendetta politics.
Details of the Notice
A KMC buildings department team reached Harish Mukherjee Road and knocked on the doors of 'Shantiniketan'. After failing to get any response from the Diamond Harbour MP, officials pasted a notice under Section 401 of the KMC Act 1980 on the building's wall. Such a notice is issued when at least a part of a building is constructed without the civic body's approval. A KMC official stated that serving such a notice also paves the way for demolition, and if major violations are noticed, the demolition process may be initiated.
Multiple Properties Targeted
Sources in the buildings department revealed that notices were pasted on several buildings owned by Banerjee or his aides. Later in the day, the notice on 'Shantiniketan' was found torn off the wall. The civic assessment department has identified 42 properties that are either owned or co-owned by Banerjee. The department will investigate whether tax is pending for any of these properties. An official stated that they have been asked to assess records of each property owned by Banerjee and associates and collect uncleared property taxes.
Chief Minister's Statement
In the evening, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that properties owned by Banerjee and three others were under the scanner. He asserted that the government would put the corrupt ones in prison. Addressing a rally at Vardaan Market, the CM discussed the crackdown on persons accused in corruption cases and mentioned names of individuals whose assets in the city are being investigated. He claimed that Abhishek Banerjee has 14 properties in the name of Leaps and Bounds, four in his name, and six in his father's name. He also named Raju Naskar (promoter) in Beleghata with 18 properties, Sona Pappu with 24 properties, and Javed Khan's son with 90 properties. Adhikari concluded by stating that Santanu Sinha Biswas (DC of Kolkata Police) and Sujit Bose (former minister) have been arrested, and the BJP government will put every corrupt person behind bars.
