The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has issued a formal notice regarding a property at 188A, Harish Mukherjee Road, linked to the family of All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, triggering a sharp political controversy in Kolkata. The notice, dated 19 May, was issued by the KMC Assessor-Collector (South) office and seeks documents related to the property's ownership, usage, and possession.

Background of the Property

According to KMC records, the premises were originally purchased in the name of M/s Animesh Tradelink Private Limited, a company that was subsequently renamed Leaps and Bounds Infra Consultants Private Limited. It is alleged that the old structure on the plot was demolished and a new building named 'Santiniketan' was constructed in its place, yet the property continued to be assessed as 'owner-occupied' for tax purposes.

Property tax for the premises is currently being paid by Leaps and Bounds Infra Consultants Private Limited, while members of Abhishek Banerjee's family reportedly reside there — a discrepancy that the civic body says prompted its inquiry.

What the KMC Notice Says

The notice, signed by Assessor-Collector (South) Arup Mondal, states that the KMC's inquiry found the property was not being used by the actual registered owner but by other occupants. The civic body has sought submission of agreements between the concerned parties, transaction-related documents, and possession details for the purpose of reassessment. All relevant documents are to be submitted within seven days of the notice's issuance. The notice has been addressed to the director of Leaps and Bounds Infra Consultants Private Limited.

Political Reactions

Once the notice became public, political reactions intensified. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged irregularities in property tax assessment and concealment of the actual usage of the premises. As of the time of reporting, no official response had been issued by the TMC leadership. Notably, this controversy surfaces against the backdrop of ongoing political friction between the BJP and the TMC in West Bengal.

KMC's Broader Context

According to a section of the municipal administration, the KMC is currently examining tax assessment and usage details of several properties across the city, and the notice to the Harish Mukherjee Road property was issued as part of that wider process. Critics argue, however, that the timing and the political profile of the property's residents make it difficult to view the notice as routine. This is the latest in a series of administrative and legal scrutinies that have touched individuals and entities linked to senior TMC figures in recent years.

What Happens Next

The director of Leaps and Bounds Infra Consultants Private Limited has seven days from 19 May to submit the required documents to the KMC. Depending on the outcome of the reassessment, the property's tax classification and liability could change. The political fallout is expected to continue, with the BJP likely to press the issue in the state assembly and in public forums.