Amphan relief funds diverted to leaders? Fresh ₹250 crore complaint names Abhishek Banerjee

Fresh allegations relating to the distribution of Cyclone Amphan relief funds have surfaced against Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee after BJP leader Abhijit Das Bobby filed a complaint at Bishnupur Police Station on Saturday, alleging financial irregularities amounting to nearly ₹250 crore. The complaint seeks an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of relief funds allocated for victims affected by Cyclone Amphan in 2020 and calls for the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the matter.

According to the complaint, a substantial portion of the Central Government's relief funds intended for affected residents in South 24 Parganas did not reach genuine beneficiaries. Bobby alleged that irregularities occurred during the distribution process and claimed that certain public representatives and administrative officials were involved. He further stated that similar complaints would be filed at police stations across the Diamond Harbour region.

The complaint alleges that ₹25.80 crore was allocated for repairing damaged houses in Bishnupur Block-I. While the actual number of affected houses was stated to be around 31,000, official records allegedly listed 34,000 beneficiaries. Similar allegations were made regarding Bishnupur Block-II, where financial irregularities amounting to approximately ₹32 crore have been alleged. The complaint claims that the cumulative irregularities across various areas could amount to nearly ₹250 crore.

Additional allegations include the use of identical mobile numbers for multiple beneficiaries, relief payments allegedly being deposited into the same bank account for several individuals, and multiple members of the same family being recorded as separate beneficiaries. The complaint seeks an investigation into the roles of former Block Development Officers, Gram Panchayat Pradhans, Deputy Pradhans, Zilla Parishad officials, and other administrative authorities connected with the relief distribution process.

The development comes at a time when Abhishek Banerjee is facing scrutiny in other ongoing investigations. The CID is examining matters related to the Assembly signature forgery case and the DJ remark case, while the Enforcement Directorate has also issued him a summons. The allegations relating to the Amphan relief funds remain part of the complaint filed before the police, and any determination regarding the claims will depend on the findings of an official investigation.