West Bengal: Income Tax Department Denies Raiding Abhishek Banerjee’s Helicopter, Counters TMC Allegations

Abhishek Banerjee, the general secretary of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal, has accused the Income Tax Department of halting and conducting a raid on his helicopter. However, the Income Tax Department has refuted these claims, labeling them as unfounded.

On Sunday, Banerjee asserted that his helicopter was subjected to a raid by officials from the Income Tax Department at the Behala Flying Club in Kolkata, with an alleged attempt to confiscate it. However, sources within the Income Tax Department have contradicted these assertions.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the allegations made by the TMC are deemed to be without merit. They emphasized that the Election Commission collaborates with various law enforcement agencies to uphold the integrity of elections across the nation. Additionally, the Income Tax Department gathers and shares information from a range of sources, including the Reserve Bank of India, Customs, Air Traffic Control, and other relevant officials and entities, to facilitate the conduct of free and fair elections in the country.

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No raid was conducted: The Income Tax Department

According to the statement, the department had been alerted by Air Traffic Control about the arrival of a helicopter from Malda to Behala on April 14, 2024, around 1 pm. As part of routine protocol, a team was dispatched to the Behala Flying Club to gather information. Following the collection of necessary details, the department officials concluded their visit.

Furthermore, the statement clarified that only two security personnel were aboard the helicopter. There was no investigation or raid conducted whatsoever. It emphasized that all reports in the media regarding a raid are unsubstantiated and misguiding.

Abhishek Banerjee’s allegation

Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee alleged that Income Tax Department officials engaged in a confrontation with their security personnel and attempted to seize the helicopter.

It’s noteworthy that Abhishek Banerjee is running for the Diamond Harbor Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal and is the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

According to the TMC, Income Tax Department officials halted Abhishek Banerjee’s security officers and conducted a search of the helicopter. The party further claimed that the officials obstructed the helicopter from taking off for an extended period and engaged in disputes with the security personnel, with threats of confiscation looming.