NEW DELHI: Kolkata Police on Monday visited 'Shantiniketan', the official residence of Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, with officials later describing the move as part of a routine official exercise. A team of police personnel arrived at the south Kolkata residence located at 188A Harish Mukherjee Road in the afternoon. While some officers were in uniform, others were seen in plain clothes. Neither the Kolkata Police nor the TMC has officially disclosed the reason behind the visit. However, a senior police officer sought to downplay the development, stating that there was no law-and-order issue or any special operation. It was part of a routine official exercise.
Security Equipment Removed
After remaining at the residence for nearly an hour, the police team left the premises. Officials later said they had removed a TV monitor attached to a security scanner installed at the entrance of the house. The equipment was placed there for security purposes. Later, it was decided that the machines would be taken back as they belonged to the government, another senior police officer said, according to PTI. According to officials, the scanners were similar to those used at airports, railway stations, and other high-security public places. Police sources said the equipment had earlier been identified as government property.
Visit Comes Amid KMC Notices
The police visit comes days after the Trinamool Congress-run Kolkata Municipal Corporation issued notices to several properties allegedly linked to Abhishek Banerjee, including his official residence, over alleged unauthorised construction. Civic authorities had given the Diamond Harbour MP seven days to respond to the notices, with the deadline expiring on Monday. Earlier last week, Banerjee had strongly reacted to the civic action and accused the BJP of political vendetta. Our state had many chief ministers, but none like the current one. The one who was seen taking money on camera has been made the CM. Let them do whatever they want, the TMC MP had said. Raze down my house, send notice. I will not bow down over these things. Come what may, my fight will continue against the BJP, he added.
KMC Probe and Demolition Warning
According to KMC officials, notices were pasted on several properties after authorities allegedly failed to receive a response from Banerjee. The notices were reportedly issued under Section 401 of the KMC Act, 1980, which deals with alleged unauthorised construction. Senior TMC leaders had earlier told local media that the Banerjee family plans to challenge the notices legally. Party sources said lawyers are being consulted and legal documents are being prepared. This is not politics, but vendetta politics, a senior party leader said. Meanwhile, West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari claimed that multiple properties linked to Banerjee and others were under investigation. Abhishek Banerjee has 14 properties in the name of Leaps and Bounds, four in his name, and six in his father's name, Adhikari alleged while addressing a rally. The BJP government will put every corrupt person behind bars, he added.
