In a bizarre incident following the Trinamul Congress government’s defeat in the polls, a major political controversy has erupted over a flat in Ambika Tower at Court More in Asansol, triggering widespread sensation across the area.
The flat owner’s family has levelled serious allegations against sitting Trinamul Congress councillor of the Asansol Municipal Corporation, Babita Das, claiming she had repeatedly threatened them whenever rent was demanded and that their flat has remained unlawfully occupied for the past 14 years.
Mahendra Agrawal and Dulari Agrawal, residents of Jhanjhra in Pandaveswar, West Burdwan, had rented out their flat nearly 15 years ago to Sanjay Sarkar, a resident of Kolkata. They allege that they have not received a single rupee in rent for the past 14 years.
The owners further claimed that whenever they sought payment, they were allegedly intimidated and threatened by councillor Babita Das. The family also stated that they had submitted a complaint to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in 2017, but no action was taken at the time.
According to the family, the changing political atmosphere in Bengal has now emboldened people to speak openly against injustice. Encouraged by this, they went to reclaim possession of their flat yesterday evening, leading to a major confrontation.
Eyewitnesses said tensions escalated on the fourth floor of Ambika Tower, drawing a large crowd of local residents, the owners, their relatives and others. Police from Asansol South police station arrived soon after receiving information and attempted to bring the situation under control.
Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party also reached the spot and said no one should face violence, urging the police to act fairly and lawfully.
They further appealed that no one should threaten others in the name of any political party. “These are serious allegations, and no political party leader will be allowed to forcibly capture houses in the state now,” said Debtanu Bhattacharya, Asansol district president.
Denying the allegations, Babita Das said she was unaware that rent had not been paid and urged the police to grant her two days to vacate the apartment.