kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata, : The political and administrative speculation erupted on Monday after a team from Kolkata Police visited the residence of Abhishek Banerjee at Harish Mukherjee Road amid the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged illegal construction linked to his property.

The development came on the very day the deadline set by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation regarding notices issued over alleged unauthorized construction at Abhishek Banerjee’s residence was scheduled to expire. However, following a request submitted by the Trinamool Congress leader seeking additional time to respond to the civic body’s notice, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation reportedly granted an extension of 10 more days.

Against this backdrop, two police officials arrived at the Harish Mukherjee Road residence, known as “Shantiniketan,” in a black vehicle on Monday afternoon. Their visit immediately triggered widespread discussion and political speculation due to the ongoing dispute over the alleged illegal portions of the property.

The officers were seen leaving with a monitor in their hands. However, when questioned by journalists regarding the purpose of the visit or why the monitor was being removed, the officials declined to make any comment.

The Shantiniketan property on Harish Mukherjee Road is reportedly registered under the name of Leaps and Bounds, a company whose name has surfaced multiple times in connection with various corruption investigations during the Trinamool Congress regime. The sudden visit by Kolkata Police immediately after the civic body’s demolition-related notice has therefore intensified speculation in political and administrative circles.

Questions are now being raised over whether the police visit was linked to issues involving Leaps and Bounds, or whether it was connected to security arrangements at the residence amid the ongoing civic dispute. Sources indicate that CCTV systems and several monitors had previously been installed by Kolkata Police around Abhishek Banerjee’s residence and adjoining areas for security purposes.

It is now being discussed within administrative circles whether the removal of the monitor is connected to a review of those security arrangements in light of the illegal construction notice. Officials are also reportedly considering what further administrative steps could follow if satisfactory responses are not submitted to the municipal authorities within the extended deadline.

It may be recalled that notices had earlier been issued by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation to two addresses linked to Abhishek Banerjee at Kalighat Road and Harish Mukherjee Road. The civic body had sought clarification regarding whether permission had been obtained for any additional construction work carried out at the properties. The corporation had also reportedly directed demolition of allegedly unauthorized portions of the Shantiniketan property.

The developments have now intensified political debate across the state, with the movements of Kolkata Police and the civic administration drawing sharp attention from multiple quarters.