Kolkata, 17 April (H.S.): Amid the ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections, central agencies have intensified their actions in the state. On Friday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out raids at premises linked to a real estate firm and a construction company, while the Income Tax Department conducted searches at multiple locations, including the residence of Trinamool Congress candidate Debasish Kumar.

According to sources, several ED teams, accompanied by central forces, left from the CGO Complex in the morning and launched simultaneous search operations across Salt Lake and Kolkata. At least four locations linked to a real estate company were searched, along with the office of another construction firm.

The searches are reportedly connected to a financial fraud investigation. Officials believe the operation is aimed at tracking illegal financial transactions and examining land-related dealings ahead of the elections. Notably, similar raids had been conducted earlier at properties and offices associated with the same construction firm.

Meanwhile, the Income Tax Department also carried out search operations in the city. A team reached the residence of Debasish Kumar, the sitting MLA from Rasbehari, located on Manoharpukur Road. Raids were also conducted at his election office on the same road, as well as at another office on Motilal Nehru Road.

The ruling All India Trinamool Congress has raised questions over the dual actions by central agencies, alleging that such moves during the election period are politically motivated.

Further developments in the matter are awaited.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey