Officials from the Income Tax Department, accompanied by the Central Armed Police Forces, are currently carrying out raids and search operations at various sites associated with Trinamool Congress legislator Debasish Kumar. These operations are focused on his residence and electoral camp office in South Kolkata, specifically related to an illegal land-grabbing case. Debasish Kumar, who is also the Member-Mayor-in-Council of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, was present at his residence when the Income Tax teams arrived early in the morning to initiate the raids.
Last month, Debasish Kumar was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate and underwent extensive questioning at their Salt Lake office regarding the same illegal land-grabbing case. Subsequently, he received multiple notices this month for further interrogation but chose not to appear. Additional details and an official statement on the ongoing raids are anticipated.
In response to these actions, local Trinamool Congress supporters have begun protesting near Debasish Kumar’s residence and electoral camp office, alleging that the timing of the Income Tax operations, just days before the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on April 23, is politically motivated. Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee has expressed concerns about the potential arrest of her party members during a recent campaign rally.
Earlier in March, the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches in Kolkata and surrounding areas related to a land-grabbing case, including at the office of an organization and the homes of its officials. This organization was under scrutiny for allegedly deceiving investors through high-return schemes. Following their investigations, the Enforcement Directorate summoned Debasish Kumar for questioning after his name emerged in connection with the case.
