The Anti-Institutional Corruption Commission of West Bengal, along with local police, conducted searches at two private firms linked to Firhad Hakim, a former minister and ex-mayor of Kolkata, on Thursday in New Alipore.
According to officials, this operation is part of an inquiry into the potential corruption involved in the acquisition of assets belonging to Hakim Polymaker Private Limited and Hakim Chemicals. The investigation is aimed at determining whether institutional corruption played a role in these dealings.
Firhad Hakim, commonly referred to as Bobby in political circles, is identified as the owner of both companies on their respective websites. During the searches, neither Hakim nor any of his family members were present at the offices located on Tollygunge Circular Road.
The Anti-Corruption Commission was formed under the BJP administration, led by retired Justice Biswajit Basu, to probe allegations of institutional corruption that reportedly occurred during the tenure of the Trinamool Congress.
Despite being re-elected from the Kolkata Port constituency on a Trinamool ticket in the recent Assembly elections, Hakim’s political landscape shifted, leading to his resignation as the mayor of Kolkata. He later aligned himself with a dissident faction within the Trinamool Congress, alongside figures such as Ritabrata Banerjee.
Political opponents of Hakim have raised concerns about the apparent inaction against him, especially in light of numerous allegations stemming from his time as urban development minister and as mayor. TMC veteran Saugata Roy questioned the delay in governmental response, highlighting that while many TMC leaders are under investigation, Hakim remains untouched.
“Numerous accusations were made against Hakim during his time as mayor. After he joined the so-called Trinamool faction, there has been no action taken against him. Arrests have been made of other Trinamool members, so why not Firhad Hakim? When he was the urban development minister, I pointed out in the Assembly that he approved the plans for the collapsed building in Taratala, yet no consequences followed,” Roy stated.
Minister Agnimitra Paul joined the criticism, citing alleged failures in handling fire safety and illegal constructions during Hakim’s administration. “With such a plethora of allegations, how can Firhad Hakim, both as a minister and a mayor, not be held accountable? We have consistently raised this issue,” she remarked.
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