Income Tax Department Denies Raid on Helicopter Linked to TMC's Abhishek Banerjee

In a recent development that sparked controversy, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) alleged a raid by Income Tax officials on a helicopter designated for party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Contrary to these claims, sources within the Income Tax Department clarified that no such enforcement action, including searches or surveys, was conducted, especially since Banerjee was not present at the scene.

The incident unfolded at the Behala Flying Club in West Bengal, where a quick response team from the Income Tax Department was dispatched. Their mission was straightforward: to gather details regarding a helicopter's arrival from Malda around 1 pm on Sunday. This operation was part of a routine exercise aimed at ensuring the integrity of upcoming elections, as per department sources.

Upon receiving information from Air Traffic Control about the helicopter's arrival, department officials engaged with security personnel and aviation authorities to collect necessary data before departing from the location. It was confirmed that the helicopter was merely transporting two security personnel, with Banerjee absent from the premises.

Earlier allegations made by the TMC via a post on X suggested an extensive search of the helicopter during its trial run at Behala Flying Club, intended for Banerjee's visit to Haldia in Purba Medinipur district. The party interpreted this act as an intimidation tactic by the BJP against opposition candidates. In response, Banerjee criticized the move on X, accusing the BJP of deploying "minions" from the Income Tax Department instead of engaging in political discourse.

However, Income Tax Department sources reiterated their commitment to upholding free and fair elections across the country. This involves collaborative efforts with various law enforcement agencies, including RBI, customs, and air traffic control, to gather and share pertinent information. A report regarding this incident has also been forwarded to the Election Commission for their records.

This clarification from Income Tax Department sources aims to dispel any misconceptions surrounding their operations at Behala Flying Club. It underscores the department's role in maintaining electoral integrity through lawful and routine activities rather than engaging in politically motivated actions.