Kolkata: More than Rs 1 crore in cash was seized from the office of a rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA in Diamond Harbour in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district on Wednesday, prompting Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to allege large-scale financial irregularities involving the previous state government.
The cash, amounting to approximately Rs 1,02,79,000, was recovered from the office of Magrahat Paschim MLA Samim Ahamed in the Sarisha locality. Ahamed had recently joined the rebel TMC faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee.
According to police sources, the raid reportedly followed information obtained during the interrogation of Sumit Roy, an arrested aide of TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee. Roy is being questioned in connection with an alleged financial irregularities case. Diamond Harbour Additional Superintendent of Police Abhishek Majumdar confirmed the seizure and identified the premises as Ahamed’s office.
Reacting to the recovery, Adhikari described the seizure as merely the “tip of the iceberg” and accused former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee of diverting state revenue and allegedly transferring illicit funds abroad.
Speaking at a press conference at the state secretariat Nabanna late Wednesday night, the Chief Minister claimed that money meant for the state exchequer had been diverted to TMC offices and subsequently siphoned off overseas.
Adhikari cited state revenue figures, claiming that West Bengal collected Rs 37,281 crore between April 1 and October 31 this year, compared with Rs 33,788 crore during the corresponding period last year. He argued that the additional collection of nearly Rs 3,500 crore could not be attributed to fresh auctions of stone or sand mines, as no such auctions had taken place.
He further alleged that thousands of crores collected through state revenue channels had previously gone to members of the former Chief Minister’s family and their associates. He claimed that the additional revenue could reach Rs 7,000-8,000 crore over a full financial year.
The Chief Minister also alleged irregularities in post-Cyclone Amphan relief distribution, the Sebashray initiative, extortion, job-for-cash rackets and illegal occupation of government land. He reiterated that strict action would be taken against those found responsible.
Meanwhile, the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC faction accused the state government of planting evidence and fabricating information by misusing state machinery. Ahamed and the rebel faction had not issued any response to the seizure at the time of reporting.
