Firhad Hakim firm raids: Bengal judicial panel probes TMC corruption
Synopsis
A judicial commission probing alleged corruption under the previous TMC government in West Bengal has raided two firms owned by former minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim. The searches at Hakim Polymakers and Hakim Chemicals in Tollygunge signal that the panel, headed by a retired Calcutta High Court judge, is now targeting corporate entities with direct political ownership links.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal's judicial probe committee raided offices of Hakim Polymakers Private Limited and Hakim Chemicals on 3 September in Tollygunge, South Kolkata .
Both firms are owned by former TMC minister and ex- Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim , a four-time MLA.
Investigators were examining whether alleged corrupt proceeds were invested in these companies.
The commission was announced by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on 14 July to probe TMC-era corruption from 2011 to 2026 .
The panel is headed by retired Calcutta High Court judge Justice Biswajit Basu .
Hakim won the Kolkata Port seat for a fourth term this year, defeating BJP's Rakesh Singh by over 56,000 votes .
A judicial probe committee constituted by the West Bengal government conducted searches on Thursday, 3 September at the offices of two companies owned by former state minister and former Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, as part of an investigation into alleged institutional corruption during the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. The searches targeted premises in Tollygunge Circular Road, South Kolkata.
What the Probe Team Did
The committee's team reached the offices of Hakim Polymakers Private Limited and Hakim Chemicals in the afternoon. The searches were carried out in the presence of Kolkata Police. Neither Hakim nor any member of his family was present at either office when the probe team arrived, according to sources familiar with the development.
What Investigators Were Looking For
Sources said the committee members were seeking to determine whether money allegedly earned through corrupt practices had been channelled into either of the two companies. The team was also examining whether the corporate activities of these entities were linked to alleged institutionalised corruption during the previous state government. Both companies list Hakim as an owner on their respective websites.
Who Is Firhad Hakim
Firhad Hakim, widely known as Bobby in West Bengal's political circles, is a four-time Trinamool Congress legislator. He served as the state's minister for municipal affairs and urban development and also held the office of Kolkata Mayor. In the West Bengal Assembly elections held earlier this year, he retained his Kolkata Port constituency for a fourth consecutive term, defeating Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Rakesh Singh by a margin of more than 56,000 votes — even as the TMC suffered a significant defeat overall in the state.
About the Judicial Commission
On 14 July, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the formation of a judicial commission to investigate multiple allegations of institutional corruption during the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government's tenure from 2011 to 2026. The commission is headed by former Calcutta High Court judge Justice Biswajit Basu (retired). Its investigation proceeds under the supervision of a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, with an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer handling administrative functions and a West Bengal Revenue Service officer overseeing technical aspects.
Broader Context
The raids on Hakim's firms mark a notable escalation in the commission's work, representing one of the highest-profile corporate searches since the panel was constituted. This comes amid a broader political transition in West Bengal, with the new state government deploying institutional mechanisms to scrutinise the previous administration's record. How the commission's findings translate into formal legal proceedings will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
000 votes even in a wave against his party — complicates any narrative of public rejection. The commission's legitimacy will ultimately rest on whether its findings lead to prosecutable evidence and independent legal proceedings, or remain confined to political optics. West Bengal has a long history of institutional investigations that generated heat but little judicial outcome; this panel will be judged by a different standard.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Firhad Hakim's company offices raided in Kolkata?
A judicial probe committee set up by the West Bengal government raided the offices of Hakim Polymakers Private Limited and Hakim Chemicals on 3 September to investigate whether money allegedly earned through corrupt practices during the previous TMC government was invested in these firms. The searches were conducted in the presence of Kolkata Police.
Who is Firhad Hakim?
Firhad Hakim, also known as Bobby, is a four-time Trinamool Congress MLA from the Kolkata Port constituency. He served as West Bengal's minister for municipal affairs and urban development and as Kolkata Mayor during the Mamata Banerjee-led government.
What is the West Bengal judicial commission investigating?
The commission, announced on 14 July by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, is probing multiple allegations of institutional corruption during the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government's tenure from 2011 to 2026. It is headed by retired Calcutta High Court judge Justice Biswajit Basu.
Was Firhad Hakim present during the raids?
No. According to sources, neither Hakim nor any member of his family was present at either office when the probe team arrived on Thursday afternoon.
How did Firhad Hakim perform in the recent West Bengal elections?
Hakim retained the Kolkata Port Assembly seat for a fourth consecutive term in the West Bengal elections held earlier this year, defeating BJP candidate Rakesh Singh by a margin of more than 56,000 votes, even as the TMC suffered a broader defeat in the state.
