The drubbing in the West Bengal assembly election has done more than dent the Trinamool Congress at the ballot box—it now appears to have opened the door to a wave of legal and investigative scrutiny against its senior figures. In a single day, two of the party's prominent names found themselves at the centre of separate actions: national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee, and MLA and former minister Madan Mitra. For Abhishek the pressure is coming from two sides at once: murmurs of discontent within the party over his style of functioning, and the unrelenting gaze of the police and probe agencies.
A Raid That Began at 3 in the Morning
While much of Kolkata was still asleep early on Saturday, a large police team arrived around 3 AM at Abhishek Banerjee's Patuapara residence in the Kalighat area. According to police officers, the operation stemmed from a case registered at a police station in West Medinipur district. Three forces were on the ground together—personnel from the Salboni police station in West Medinipur, Kolkata Police, and central forces. The roles were split: the central forces took up position outside the house while police officers went in to conduct the search.
Allegation of a Broken Lock, a Search Lasting Four Hours
The TMC has alleged that the police team broke open the lock to get inside and then carried out a sweeping search of the entire residence. Abhishek Banerjee himself made the same claim—that the police forced the lock, entered, and went through every single room, yet offered no clear explanation for the action. The operation reportedly stretched on for more than four hours, with police personnel remaining inside the premises until morning. Through it all, the party levelled serious accusations against both the police and the central forces.
Mamata Banerjee Rushed to the Scene
The moment word of the raid reached her, former chief minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee made her way to Abhishek Banerjee's home without delay. Officials, however, did not spell out exactly which case the search was tied to. It is worth noting that not long ago the West Bengal CID had questioned Abhishek in an alleged forged-signature case linked to the assembly, and that various investigating agencies have been issuing him summons one after another. That backdrop is why the party is branding this latest move an act of political vendetta.
ED Descends on 7 of Madan Mitra's Premises
At around the same time, the investigative net closed in on another of Mamata Banerjee's trusted associates. As part of its probe into the municipal recruitment scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided seven premises connected to TMC MLA and former minister Madan Mitra. The inquiry has so far indicated that Mitra allegedly took bribes—in cash and in gold, routed through middlemen—in exchange for securing the appointment of ineligible candidates across various municipalities, the Kamarhati municipality in particular. Sources say his name has surfaced in connection with more than 125 suspected and allegedly illegal appointments. The ED is now also examining the money trail in the recruitment scam and the roles played by the other accused.
