KMC Serves Notices to TMC Leader Abhishek Banerjee Over Alleged Building Irregularities in Kolkata Properties

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), on Monday has issued notices to multiple properties linked to Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee, seeking details on building plans and compliance with civic norms.

The civic body, controlled by the TMC since 2010 and currently headed by Mayor Firhad Hakim, served notices under relevant sections of the KMC Act on at least 17 properties associated with Banerjee or his family and companies. Key addresses include his residence at 188A Harish Mukherjee Road (known as 'Shantiniketan') and an adjacent property on Kalighat Road in south Kolkata. Officials pasted notices on some buildings after no response from occupants and have asked owners or representatives to appear before the special officer (buildings) with approved plans.

KMC sources indicated that an internal review revealed possible deviations from sanctioned plans in these structures. Under Section 400/401 of the KMC Act, 1980, such notices provide an opportunity for hearings, after which authorities may order demolition of unauthorised portions or allow regularisation upon payment of penalties. The assessment department has reportedly flagged around 42 properties either owned or co-owned by Banerjee for further scrutiny, including checks on property tax dues.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had earlier, publicly highlighted Banerjee's property holdings. Addressing rallies, Adhikari claimed access to KMC records showing 24 properties linked to Banerjee's company Leaps and Bounds, plus others in his and his father's names. He extended the scrutiny to other individuals as well.

This marks the first instance of such a direct civic notice being issued to Abhishek Banerjee, widely regarded as the second-most powerful figure in the TMC after Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

A source close to Abhishek Banerjee strongly rejected the allegations, framing them as politically motivated. “We will be taking the legal course. Property papers are being shared with the lawyers. There is nothing illegal. This is vendetta. We will fight it,” the source said. TMC insiders described the move as upsetting to the Banerjee family and vowed a legal battle, calling it “vendetta politics” rather than routine civic enforcement.

KMC officials maintained that the probe follows standard procedure. “We will go strictly by the rules,” one official stated, emphasising that the process applies uniformly regardless of ownership. The episode underscores ongoing tensions in Bengal's polarised politics, where civic administration, long under TMC influence, now appears to be acting on directives amid the new political landscape following recent assembly elections. KMC polls are also due later this year.