Rs. 1 crore recovered in Kolkata IT raid ahead of polls

Kolkata witnessed a major income tax raid across 10 locations in the city, resulting in the recovery of ₹1 crore in cash just ahead of the upcoming elections. Sources indicate that income tax officials targeted the offices of three prominent hoarding traders, including Karukrit Advertising.

During the raids, officials seized ₹50 lakh from an office in Esplanade and another ₹50 lakh from a different location. Central agencies specifically raided Karukrit, considered the largest hoarding agency in Kolkata and West Bengal.

The raid on Karukrit involved its three offices, from which the total recovery of about ₹1 crore was reported. This action follows recent allegations by the state BJP, claiming that Kesto Saha, CEO of Karukrit Company and Secretary of the West Bengal Hoarding Association, had threatened various agencies to prevent the display of BJP hoardings in and around Kolkata. The BJP also noted that for the past one and a half months, only Trinamool Congress hoardings have been visible, particularly along the Maa flyover from the airport. These allegations prompted the BJP to approach the Election Commission.

Taaza TV prominently covered this issue, with Kesto Saha declining to comment. The connection between the raid by central agencies and these allegations remains speculative.