Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee's party office in Amtala, South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, was bulldozed on Sunday as part of an anti-encroachment drive. However, shortly after the action began, the Calcutta High Court immediately intervened and halted further demolition. The court directed the status quo to be maintained until the next hearing and prohibited any additional demolitions.

This interim relief was granted following a petition filed by Abhishek Banerjee's company, Leaps and Bounds. The petition claimed that all valid documents related to the land on which the party office was built were available and the demolition action was being carried out without completing the judicial process. On this basis, the court's immediate intervention was sought.

Political turmoil following the action

The bulldozer action on the office intensified a flurry of accusations and counter-accusations in state politics. The TMC alleged that the administration carried out the demolition despite the case already being pending in the High Court. The party says the office was targeted despite the dispute being pending in court.

The TMC also claimed that BJP leaders were present at the scene during the action. According to the party, this was not merely an administrative action to remove encroachments, but a move taken with political motives.

Serious allegations against the police, Abhishek raises questions

TMC National General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee questioned the role of the West Bengal Police in the entire incident on the social media platform 'X'. He said that despite the Supreme Court and High Court having already issued important guidelines and comments regarding the bulldozer action, the action was taken against the office in his Lok Sabha constituency.

Abhishek alleged that during the demolition, some policemen, allegedly accompanied by BJP supporters, entered the office and took away laptops, printers, important documents, furniture, and other items. He termed the incident as "theft in uniform," saying that it was not merely a case of property damage but a disregard for the rule of law.

Eyes fixed on the next hearing

This is not the first time this dispute has reached the court. Previously, after the assembly election results, the TMC approached the High Court regarding the attack on its party office and alleged police inaction. Now, regarding the bulldozer action against the Amtala office, the High Court has clarified that no further demolition will be carried out at the site until the next hearing. All eyes are now on the next court hearing and its decision.