A Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation ward office in Kolkata's Salt Lake area was found to contain a bedroom, a dressing table, multiple air conditioners, expensive sofas, and a packet of condoms when it was opened on the night of 26 June, triggering demands for a probe by West Bengal's state Health Minister. The office had remained locked since 4 May, when Assembly election results were declared.

What Was Found Inside

State Health Minister and area MLA Dr. Sharadwat Mukherjee visited the ward office following complaints from residents that civic services had ground to a halt. Upon entering, he found more than five air conditioning units, multiple rooms furnished with large sofas, and a dedicated bedroom inside the councillor's room. Cupboards that should have held official files instead contained winter blankets, soft pillows, and bed sheets. A packet of condoms was recovered from the dressing table.

Dr. Mukherjee said, 'At first, I did not understand why there was a bedroom. Later, I understood. It is a sin to see such things in a ward office.'

The Missing Councillor

The ward office — Ward No. 35 of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation — was previously run by the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). Former TMC ward councillor Jaydev Naskar has reportedly been missing since election results were announced on 4 May and has not been seen in the area since. His absence has added to questions surrounding the state of the office.

Public Money and Accountability Questions

Residents and officials have raised pointed questions about whether the furnishings and appliances were procured using public funds meant for civic administration. The discovery has also prompted speculation about whether the premises were used for purposes beyond official duties, though no formal conclusions have been drawn by investigators. Dr. Mukherjee called for a thorough inquiry, stating, 'A proper investigation is needed in the matter. Those who have looted people's money must be brought to book.'

Bidhannagar Police have been informed and are looking into the matter following complaints from local residents.

A Pattern Since the Change of Government

This is not the first such discovery since the change of political power in West Bengal. Police raids across multiple locations have uncovered what are described as lavish offices linked to TMC leaders. Notably, in south Kolkata's Suruchi Sangha club — associated with former state minister Aroop Biswas and his brother Swarup Biswas — an illegal structure on the club premises was found to contain a luxurious bedroom, toilet, and expensive fittings, along with government relief materials stored on site.

What Happens Next

With police now involved, the focus will be on determining the source of funding for the office's contents and whether any official misconduct occurred. The whereabouts of former councillor Jaydev Naskar remain unknown. The Health Minister's public demand for accountability signals that the matter is unlikely to be closed without a formal investigation.