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🇮🇳 India /Crime & Justice

‘Theft in uniform’: TMC's Abhishek Banerjee slams Bengal Police over office demolition

From Hindustan Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee accused West Bengal police of unlawful demolition of his constituency office.
  • Banerjee alleged the police colluded with the BJP and violated court orders during the razing of the building.
  • The district administration stated the demolition followed due process for building rule violations.

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee has accused West Bengal police and the administration of acting unlawfully during the demolition of his constituency office in South 24 Parganas' Amtala. Banerjee, representing Diamond Harbour, labeled the action "theft in uniform," alleging police sided with the BJP and disregarded court rulings.

The lawlessness in Bengal is on full display.

— Abhishek BanerjeeTMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's statement on X alleging unlawful actions during the demolition of his office.

The demolition occurred after authorities claimed the front section of the building was constructed without an approved plan and in violation of building rules. Banerjee asserted that the demolition defied orders from both the Supreme Court and the Calcutta High Court, which he stated have deemed bulldozer demolitions unconstitutional. He further claimed that police were involved in removing office equipment and documents, citing videos circulating online.

Videos showed West Bengal Police alongside BJP goons carrying away trunks filled with laptops, printers, documents, tables, chairs, and other furniture.

— Abhishek BanerjeeTMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's accusation on X regarding police involvement in removing office items.

"Videos showed West Bengal Police alongside BJP goons carrying away trunks filled with laptops, printers, documents, tables, chairs, and other furniture," Banerjee wrote on X. "This was not demolition; it was theft in uniform, carried out with utter contempt for the rule of law and while the matter remains sub judice before the High Court." He added, "Those meant to uphold the law have become lawbreakers. Shame on West Bengal Police!"

This was not demolition; it was theft in uniform, carried out with utter contempt for the rule of law and while the matter remains sub judice before the High Court.

— Abhishek BanerjeeTMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's description of the demolition on X.

Conversely, the district administration maintained that the demolition adhered strictly to the law and was not politically motivated. A state government official told PTI that the structure violated construction regulations and that necessary procedures were followed. The incident has intensified political debate in West Bengal, with the TMC planning a legal challenge.

Those meant to uphold the law have become lawbreakers. Shame on West Bengal Police!

— Abhishek BanerjeeTMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's condemnation of the West Bengal Police on X.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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