I-T searches at TMC MLA Debasish Kumar's properties in Kolkata ahead of polls

Kolkata: The Income Tax Department on Friday conducted simultaneous search operations at the residence and election camp office of Trinamool Congress MLA and Kolkata Municipal Corporation Member-Mayor-in-Council (MMIC) Debasish Kumar in South Kolkata, officials said.

Two teams from the department, accompanied by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel, reached Kumar's residence on Manohar Pukur Road and his election camp office at around 6 to 6.30 am and commenced the searches.

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Kumar is the sitting TMC legislator from the Rashbehari Assembly Constituency and is contesting for re-election from the same seat. Polling in Rashbehari is scheduled for April 29 in the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, with vote counting on May 4. BJP has fielded columnist Swapan Dasgupta against him.

The searches are linked to an alleged illegal land grabbing case in West Bengal, officials said. The reason behind the Income Tax action was not immediately known beyond that.

Kumar had earlier been summoned multiple times by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an alleged illegal land-grabbing and investment fraud case. He was called for questioning at the CGO Complex in Salt Lake on April 1, 3, and 9, and had appeared before the agency each time.


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The ED had been examining whether Kumar had any financial transactions with businessman Amit Gangopadhyay, whose premises were also searched by the central agency, officials said.

The searches triggered tension outside Kumar's residence, with TMC workers raising slogans outside. Central forces personnel were deployed at the spot, officials said.

With inputs from PTI