Enquiry into Kolkata Municipal Corporation Assets Raises Questions About Abhishek Banerjee's Holdings

Investigation Launched into Properties Linked to Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee

On Monday, civic authorities launched a probe into properties linked to Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee and his associates. Officials from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) visited several premises, including 'Shantiniketan' in the city, and pasted notices issued under Section 401 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act, 1980.

The notices were served on Monday evening, around the time Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari addressed a political rally on Camac Street. Adhikari claimed that he had instructed senior government officials to gather property details of four All India Trinamool Congress leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee. The Chief Minister stated that a property list obtained from the KMC includes 24 properties linked to Banerjee, of which 14 are purportedly in the name of the company Leaps and Bounds, four in his own name, and six registered to his father.

Civic Officials Visit Properties and Paste Notices

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A team from the buildings department of the KMC visited 'Shantiniketan' on Harish Mukherjee Road on Monday afternoon and knocked on the doors of Banerjee's residence. After receiving no response, officials pasted the notice. However, the notice was later found torn. The civic assessment department has identified 42 properties allegedly owned or co-owned by Banerjee. Officials have been asked to check records of each property owned by Banerjee and his associates and collect unpaid property taxes.

Details of Banerjee's Assets Revealed

Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Banerjee had declared a total income of Rs 82.58 lakh for the financial year 2022-23 while filing his nomination papers. According to the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission, the income was disclosed in his income tax returns for the year. The affidavit also showed fluctuations in his earnings over the years. Banerjee declared an income of Rs 71.52 lakh in 2018-19, while his earnings reportedly rose sharply to over Rs 1.51 crore in 2020-21 before dropping again to Rs 82.58 lakh in FY23.

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Banerjee also disclosed cash in hand amounting to ₹7.72 lakh and listed movable assets worth more than ₹1.26 crore, including bank deposits, life insurance policies, and around 30 grams of gold.