The Income Tax Department has identified substantial discrepancies in the asset declarations of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Debashis Kumar. This follows extensive search and seizure operations conducted on April 17, 2026, at multiple locations linked to the legislator and his associates.
During the raids, officials seized diamond jewellery, gold, and bullion collectively valued at approximately ₹1.75 crore. Additionally, ₹6 lakh in cash was recovered from a business entity where the MLA is reportedly a partner. These operations were initiated based on allegations of unaccounted income generation and handling.
Undisclosed Assets and Election Affidavit Inconsistencies
Preliminary examinations reveal significant inconsistencies between the assets declared in MLA Kumar’s election affidavit and those discovered during the searches. Officials noted that several high-value items, including significant amounts of diamond jewellery and bullion, were not disclosed in the affidavit. Furthermore, there were considerable differences in the quantity of gold declared versus the amount actually found.
The investigation has also extended to the financial records of the MLA’s family. Sources indicate that the income declared in his spouse’s tax returns does not appear to align with reported reductions in liabilities from earlier disclosures. Authorities are also seeking clarification regarding an increase in overall assets compared to previous election affidavits.
Notices Issued and Further Investigations
The Income Tax Department has issued notices to Debashis Kumar and his associates, demanding detailed explanations regarding the ownership and sources of the seized assets. Investigators are actively examining the roles of certain associates in facilitating cash transactions and investments related to the case.
A comprehensive report outlining the findings has been shared with both the Election Commission of India and the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, ahead of upcoming polls. Further actions are anticipated based on the responses to these notices and ongoing scrutiny.
Associate's Premises Also Searched
Separately, the premises of an associate named Miraj D. Shah were also covered during the operation. Officials noted that a previous search in Shah's case had led to the seizure of jewellery and gold bars. A recent inspection of seized gold bullion, after legal hurdles were addressed, revealed that 8.08 kg carried foreign hallmarks. This information has been forwarded to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to investigate potential violations of customs laws. Reassessment proceedings in related cases are currently underway, with further investigations in progress.