Kumar Bahukhandi
Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee – Photo: PTI
A large team comprising police and central forces raided the residence of TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee at 3 AM, sparking a stir in West Bengal politics. The TMC has alleged that the police team forcibly entered Banerjee’s home. Upon hearing news of the raid, Mamata Banerjee immediately rushed to the scene.
Kolkata : West Bengal’s political landscape was stirred early Saturday morning when a large team of police and central forces raided the Kalighat residence of Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. According to a senior official, the action was taken in connection with a case registered at a police station in West Medinipur district.
The raid occurred just two days after the West Bengal CID had interrogated Banerjee for several hours regarding an alleged case of forged signatures linked to the state assembly. Additionally, various investigative agencies have recently issued several new summons to him.
Police team arrived at Abhishek Banerjee’s residence at 3 AM
According to reports, a police team—comprising officers from the Salboni police station in West Medinipur and the Kolkata Police—arrived at Banerjee’s residence around 3 AM on Saturday. During the operation, personnel from central forces took up positions outside the house, while police officers attempted to enter the premises. The police had arrived in search of Sumit Roy, an executive assistant to Abhishek Banerjee, who is reportedly absconding in connection with a case.
What transpired during the raid?
According to reports, a team from the Salboni police station in West Midnapore—led by a DSP and accompanied by Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel—arrived at Abhishek Banerjee’s residence on Kalighat Road in South Kolkata around 3 AM on Saturday. Shortly thereafter, police from the local Kalighat station also reached the scene.
The police team, which included a significant number of female personnel, initially knocked on the door several times. When there was no response for a considerable period, the team waited outside. After waiting for more than two hours, the police broke the lock on the entrance gate with the assistance of the State Disaster Management Department and entered the house.
Allegation of breaking in by forcing the lock
The TMC alleged that the police team broke the lock and forcibly entered the house. According to reports, this operation lasted for over four hours. Police personnel remained inside the residence even into the morning. Several officers were seen stepping out of the house, conferring with one another, and then going back inside. Speaking to journalists after coming out of the residence, Abhishek Banerjee alleged that the police broke the lock and searched the entire house.
Mamata Banerjee also arrived at the scene
Upon receiving news of the raid, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee immediately rushed to the site from her residence on Harish Chatterjee Street. The joint team of police and security forces departed after the operation, which lasted for about two hours. Later, alleging police high-handedness, Abhishek Banerjee stated that security forces had broken the lock on the main gate to enter his home and conduct a search.
To appear before investigative agencies for three consecutive days
Abhishek Banerjee is scheduled to appear before two investigative agencies regarding three separate cases on June 14, 15, and 16.
June 14: Abhishek Banerjee is to be questioned at the CID headquarters, Bhawani Bhawan, regarding alleged irregularities in the signatures of certain TMC MLAs on a key proposal concerning the appointment of opposition leaders in the State Assembly. Notably, he had appeared before the CID for questioning in this matter on Thursday as well, undergoing interrogation for approximately six hours.
June 15: Appearance at the Enforcement Directorate’s Salt Lake office in connection with the high-profile teacher recruitment scam (cash-for-school-jobs case).
June 16: The CID will question him again regarding allegations of threatening Union Home Minister Amit Shah and inciting violence prior to the Assembly elections.
