Income Tax Raids at TMC Candidate Debashis Kumar’s Residence and Offices Spark Political Tensions in Kolkata

As Bengal looks into the eye of Assembly polls, officials from the Income Tax Department carried out early morning raids at multiple premises linked to Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Rashbehari candidate Debashis Kumar. The raid began at daybreak on Friday at his residence on Manoharpukur Road, where Kumar was reportedly present at the time.

Simultaneous search operations were also conducted at his election office located nearby. Central agency officials were seen actively searching both locations, meanwhile, personnel from central security forces were deployed outside to maintain order.

The exact reason behind the Income Tax Department’s probe remains unclear at this stage. However, the raids come shortly after Kumar had been summoned multiple times by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a land-related case. He had earlier been called to the CGO Complex in Salt Lake for questioning in that matter.

In the Rashbehari constituency, Kumar is contesting against BJP candidate Swapan Dasgupta, with the BJP expressing optimism about its prospects in the seat. Against this backdrop, the raids have triggered heightened political tension in the area. Supporters of the TMC gathered at the sites and began protesting soon after news of the raid spread.

Apart from his residence and election office, Income Tax officials also conducted a search at a party office on Motilal Nehru Road associated with Kumar. This location became the focal point of protests, with TMC workers assembling in large numbers. Demonstrators raised slogans targeting BJP candidate Swapan Dasgupta and alleged wrongdoing.

Among the slogans raised were,“Why are files being stolen? Swapan Dasgupta, answer us!”).
The protesting workers claimed that officials entered the premises without prior notice and broke open locks to gain access. One protester alleged, “They broke the locks and entered without informing us. All our booth-level agents’ files and documents are kept here. Everything was being copied. This is a deep conspiracy to steal each file and hand them over to the opposition candidate. We, the local people, intervened, and only then were we called inside to see what was happening.”

Central forces were stationed outside the Motilal Nehru Road office as officials continued their search operations inside. The person responsible for managing the office was also called in by authorities during the investigation.

Notably, since early April, the ED has summoned Kumar at least three times—on April 1, 3, and 9—for questioning in connection with the same case. After his appearances at the CGO Complex, Kumar refrained from making detailed comments, stating only that his party would respond on the matter. He, however, expressed confidence that these developments would not impact his electoral prospects.

The raids also come against the backdrop of recent remarks by TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, who had warned of possible arrests of party leaders and workers. Speaking at a rally in Alipurduar on Thursday, she cautioned, “Instructions have been given on who will be arrested and when”. Earlier, at a rally in Purba Bardhaman’s Khandaghosh, she had similarly remarked, “There will be attempts to arrest many”.