Income Tax Raids Target Trinamool Congress Leaders in Kolkata

In Kolkata, the Income Tax Department has launched raids on Trinamool Congress leaders Kumar Saha and Debasish Kumar as part of a money laundering investigation related to illegal land grabbing. The raids, which have sparked protests from party supporters, are seen as politically motivated actions by the BJP ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. The case involves allegations of document forgery and fraudulent land acquisition. This article delves into the details of the raids and the political implications surrounding them.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 17, 2026, 15:45 IST

Raids Conducted on Trinamool Congress Leaders

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Kolkata, April 17: A contingent of officials from the Income Tax (I-T) Department, accompanied by central armed police forces (CAPF), has initiated search and raid operations at the residence of local Trinamool Congress leader Kumar Saha in Kalighat, Kolkata, situated near the official residence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

This action by the I-T department is part of an investigation into a money laundering case linked to illegal land grabbing, which has also prompted another team of I-T officials to search the residence and electoral camp office of veteran Trinamool Congress legislator and Member Mayor-in-Council, Debasish Kumar.

In conjunction with this, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting raids at the offices of a real estate firm and the home of a chartered accountant in various locations across Kolkata.

Supporters of the Trinamool Congress have gathered to protest outside the homes of both Kumar and Saha, claiming that these actions by the ED and I-T Department are politically motivated harassment orchestrated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Union government, especially ahead of the crucial two-phase Assembly elections scheduled for later this month.

Although Saha does not hold an elected position, he is recognized as a significant organizer within the Trinamool Congress, primarily responsible for mobilizing crowds at various party events in Kolkata.

Meanwhile, Kumar has been re-nominated as the Trinamool Congress candidate for his home constituency, Rashbehari Assembly, in Kolkata.

The central allegation in this money laundering case involves the fabrication and forgery of documents to fraudulently acquire multiple parcels of land, including public land, which were then exploited commercially through large-scale real estate developments.

On April 1, the ED seized over Rs 1 crore in cash from a company executive's residence in the Behala area of the city. Additionally, unlicensed firearms were discovered at a businessman's home in the Kasba locality of Kolkata.