The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) assessment department on Wednesday visited a prime property on Kalighat Road and issued a notice, demanding information about the property's owner or owners. A senior KMC assessment department official stated that Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee owns a portion of the multi-storey building. The official added that the department aims to determine the amount of unpaid property tax by an influential political figure.
Parallel Investigations Launched
Civic officials revealed that the KMC has initiated parallel inquiries into 17 properties listed as owned or co-owned by Banerjee, his company, or family members. The assessment department is reviewing property tax dues linked to these properties, while the buildings department is checking for irregularities or deviations from sanctioned plans.
Tax Dues and Notices
According to a preliminary estimate, approximately Rs 18 lakh is yet to be collected from the listed properties. Of this amount, nearly Rs 12 lakh is reportedly due from two luxury flats in south Kolkata. An assessment department official confirmed that notices are being sent to addresses with outstanding taxes. The official warned that if the taxes remain unpaid within the specified time, further action may be taken.
The KMC assessment department initially prepared a list of 42 properties allegedly owned or co-owned by Banerjee, but the number was later reduced to 24 and finally to 17. Officials stated that notices under Section 400(1) of the KMC Act 1980, which addresses deviations from sanctioned plans, were pasted at all 17 addresses. Municipal affairs minister Agnimitra Paul noted that alterations were found in Banerjee's properties for which permission was not sought.
Trinamool Congress Rebuttal
Trinamool Congress strongly denied the allegations, calling the campaign false, fabricated, and devoid of credibility. Beleghata MLA Kunal Ghosh said an attempt was being made to drag Banerjee and others into a matter that is entirely personal and unrelated to the party. In a statement, the party claimed that the information was unofficially leaked and is being used to create confusion and damage the organization's image. The party maintained that the campaign is baseless and aimed at maligning TMC and its leaders through misleading narratives.
Saayoni Ghosh Responds
MP Saayoni Ghosh, whose name was mentioned in connection with the Banerjee properties case by some media outlets, posted on X: "Just saw a few forwards that one Abhishek Banerjee & Sayani Ghosh jointly own a property namely 19 D Seven Tanks Road with no mobile number as a contact. I can't say who it is but it's definitely not the Saayoni Ghosh who started from a humble background with no windfall profits made from politics till date. For those trying to defame me without any evidence—Stop Now!"
Mayor's Statement
Mayor Firhad Hakim clarified that it is not a policy matter for the KMC to decide whom the buildings department issues notices to or under which sections. He stated that the issue is outside his jurisdiction and that he has no knowledge about it. Hakim explained that when the building-collapse incident occurred, elected representatives made policies, while executive work was carried out under the commissioner, as per the KMC Act. He emphasized that in day-to-day matters such as issuing notices, stopping illegal buildings, or granting building sanctions, elected representatives cannot be involved.
