Kolkata: A nearly 15-hour-long search by the Income Tax Department at the residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rashbehari Assembly candidate Debasish Kumar on Friday triggered protests, political sparring, and heightened tensions ahead of the Assembly polls.
Following the conclusion of the raid late evening, Kumar told the media that the officers were "cordial" and that the raid only cost him a day of campaigning.
"I have already covered 90 per cent of my Constituency… I will answer on May 4. People of my Constituency will give the judgement. I feel my vote margin has just increased due to the raid," he said, adding that he would appear whenever summoned.
The searches began around 5.30 am and were conducted simultaneously at three locations - Kumar's residence in south Kolkata, a party office about 250 metres away, and another office on Motilal Nehru Road, which is also being used by TMC's Ballygunge candidate Sobhandeb Chatterjee. Officials, accompanied by central security forces, continued operations through the day and even visited the residence of Kumar's in-laws.
Kumar is also the sitting MLA of Rashbehari and a member of the Mayor's Council at the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
Outside his residence, TMC supporters gathered and staged protests, holding placards reading "I am also Debashish Kumar," while raising slogans as the search progressed. IT officials also barred Kumar's agent from entering the home for supposedly fetching a file containing expenditure details which had to be submitted to the Election Commission on Friday afternoon.
The Income Tax action comes days after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoned Kumar twice in connection with an alleged land-grabbing case. ED sources said earlier raids at properties linked to businessman Amit Gangopadhyay and his associates led to the recovery of documents and phone chats, including images and details of disputed land parcels allegedly shared with Kumar.
The agency is probing whether Kumar had links with the businessman and his partners, particularly regarding alleged illegal construction activities in areas under his influence, and whether there were financial transactions linked to disputed property deals.
Meanwhile, searches were also carried out at the residence of another TMC leader, Kumar Saha, in south Kolkata, where TMC supporters gathered but did not obstruct officials.
Separately, Income Tax officials visited the Elgin Road residence of Miraj Shah, considered close to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and a proposer for Banerjee, who is the party's Bhawanipore Assembly candidate. The TMC termed the searches "vindictive politics." Party leader Kunal Ghosh alleged that such actions reflected "fear of defeat" ahead of the polls.