A team of Kolkata Police officials arrived at the residence of Trinamool Congress leader and MP Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday (May 21) afternoon, leading to widespread political chatter over the purpose of the visit. The residence, known as “Shantiniketan”, is located on Harish Mukherjee Road in Kolkata.
Kolkata Police visited the residence of Banerjee days after the Kolkata Municipal Corporation reportedly issued notices to 17 properties linked to him over alleged unauthorised construction and civic irregularities. The visit came after authorities had given a seven-day deadline for a response.
While officials did not publicly confirm the exact reason behind the police presence, the move triggered intense speculation amid claims of possible non-compliance. The development comes at a time when demolition drives targeting allegedly illegal structures linked to several All India Trinamool Congress leaders are underway across West Bengal.
According to sources quoted in media reports, police personnel reached the premises at around 3:50 pm. A few officials and representatives reportedly entered the residence and remained inside for nearly 10 to 15 minutes before exiting with electronic equipment believed to be connected to the former security arrangement provided to the TMC leader.
Sources indicated that the visit was part of a security withdrawal process following the reduction or removal of Banerjee’s earlier Z+ security cover. During the visit, officials allegedly removed surveillance-related infrastructure that had been installed as part of the high-security arrangement.
Among the items reportedly taken away were a large LCD screen connected to CCTV monitoring systems, DVR units, monitors, wires and other electronic equipment used for surveillance and security management at the residence.
The removal of the devices is being viewed as an administrative exercise linked to the rollback of enhanced security measures previously extended to the TMC MP.
Sources further stated that Abhishek Banerjee had earlier been under Z+ category protection, which involved extensive surveillance systems and security deployment around his residence and movement.
With the reported scaling down or withdrawal of that protection, authorities have now started removing the infrastructure associated with the security setup.
Neither Kolkata Police nor the office of Abhishek Banerjee issued an official statement regarding the visit till the filing of the report.
The development comes at a time when political tensions in West Bengal remain high, especially after multiple controversies and investigations involving leaders of the ruling All India Trinamool Congress.
In recent weeks, several TMC leaders have faced allegations linked to extortion, property controversies and civic body investigations, intensifying the political atmosphere across the state.
The sudden police presence outside the residence of one of the most prominent faces of the TMC quickly drew attention and fuelled speculation before sources clarified that the visit was linked to the removal of security infrastructure.
