A group of masked and helmeted men allegedly broke into and ransacked Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee’s office on Camac Street in central Kolkata in the early hours of Thursday, September 3, triggering a fresh political confrontation in West Bengal.

According to allegations made by Abhishek Banerjee, the attackers entered the party office at around 4.30 am, damaged furniture and electronic equipment, and allegedly took away several items from the premises. Videos purportedly showing the incident have also emerged, appearing to show masked individuals leaving the office while carrying television screens and other electronic equipment.

Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP, accused workers associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party of carrying out the attack. He described the incident as a serious assault on the rule of law and questioned the police response to the alleged break-in.

The allegations have been denied by the BJP, which has rejected any involvement in the incident and questioned the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack.

Abhishek Banerjee Alleges Armed Attack

Banerjee alleged that the men who entered the office were armed and that people present at the premises were subjected to intimidation during the incident.

According to his account, the attackers allegedly entered the office, assaulted people present there, snatched mobile phones and damaged furniture and electronic equipment. He also alleged that several items were removed from the premises.

Videos shared in connection with the incident purportedly show masked and helmeted men carrying television sets, monitors and other equipment out of the office. Another video reportedly showed the condition of the premises after the alleged attack, including broken furniture, shattered glass and damaged electronic devices.

Banerjee has demanded action against those responsible and questioned whether the authorities would intervene in what he described as a serious law-and-order issue.

He also raised questions about the response of the police, alleging that calls and messages seeking assistance did not result in immediate intervention. According to Banerjee, the police response was delayed for around two hours.

The allegations have not been independently established, and the investigation is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Police Begin Investigation

Kolkata Police have started an investigation into the alleged attack and have detained several people for questioning.

Investigators are expected to examine CCTV recordings from the office and surrounding areas to determine how many people were involved, how they entered the premises and what happened during the alleged break-in.

The police are also likely to examine claims regarding the removal of electronic equipment and other property from the office.

Statements from office employees, security personnel and other witnesses could form an important part of the investigation. Authorities will also need to establish whether the incident was primarily an act of vandalism and theft or whether it was connected to the ongoing political dispute surrounding the premises.

BJP Rejects Allegations

The BJP has denied responsibility for the alleged attack.

BJP legislator Sajal Ghosh rejected Banerjee’s accusations and questioned the political narrative surrounding the incident. The BJP has suggested that the allegations were being used by Banerjee for political purposes and denied that party workers were responsible.

The conflicting claims have added another dimension to the already tense political atmosphere in West Bengal.

While the TMC has portrayed the incident as an attack by political opponents, the BJP has sought to distance itself from the allegations. The police investigation is therefore likely to be central to establishing the facts.

Incident Comes Days After Billboard Dispute

The alleged attack occurred only days after a separate confrontation at the same Camac Street office.

On August 27, Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials, accompanied by police personnel, arrived at the building to remove a large billboard carrying Trinamool Congress-related signage. Civic authorities had described the structure as unauthorised.

The operation led to a confrontation involving TMC workers, private security personnel, police officers and municipal officials.

Abhishek Banerjee and TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien were also present during the confrontation. The situation reportedly escalated as TMC supporters and security personnel attempted to prevent the civic officials and police from proceeding with the operation.

The incident resulted in several cases being registered by the authorities, with Banerjee and other TMC leaders being named in connection with the confrontation. Banerjee subsequently appeared before the police for questioning.

Derek O’Brien was also questioned by Kolkata Police in connection with the earlier dispute.

The billboard controversy had already intensified tensions between the TMC and state authorities. The alleged ransacking of the office has now further escalated the political dispute.

Questions Over Security

The incident has also raised questions about security at the office of one of the TMC’s most prominent leaders.

The alleged entry of masked individuals into the premises during the early hours has prompted questions about how the attackers were able to gain access and how long they remained inside the building.

The CCTV footage could prove important in determining the identities and movements of those involved. Investigators are also expected to examine whether the people seen carrying electronic equipment were responsible for taking property from the office.

The extent of the financial loss and damage to the premises is yet to be fully established.

Political Tensions Intensify

The incident comes at a time of heightened political confrontation in West Bengal. The TMC and BJP have frequently accused each other of political intimidation, violence and attempts to undermine their opponents.

For the Trinamool Congress, the alleged attack has become another issue through which the party is questioning the law-and-order situation and demanding accountability.

Banerjee has called for intervention by senior authorities and urged the judiciary to take note of the incident. He has also questioned whether adequate action would be taken against those responsible.

The BJP, meanwhile, has rejected the accusations and sought to distance itself from the alleged vandalism.

With both sides presenting sharply different versions of events, the investigation will be crucial in determining what actually happened at the Camac Street office.

Investigation to Establish Facts

The police inquiry is expected to focus on several key questions: who entered the premises, how they gained access, whether they were armed, whether anyone was assaulted, what property was damaged or removed and whether the incident had any connection with the earlier billboard dispute.

CCTV recordings, witness statements and evidence collected from the premises are likely to play a major role in establishing the sequence of events.

The detention of several people for questioning suggests that investigators have begun pursuing leads. However, the identities and roles of those allegedly involved, as well as the motive behind the incident, will need to be established through evidence.

For now, the alleged attack has added another major flashpoint to the political confrontation in Kolkata. As the police investigation continues, the competing allegations between the TMC and BJP are likely to keep the issue at the centre of political debate in West Bengal.