Man Held For Recce Of Abhishek Banerjee's House, Days After Mamata’s ‘Not Safe’ Alarm

The Kolkata Police Special Task Force apprehended a Mumbai-based individual on Monday for purportedly conducting a recce of the residence and office belonging to Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee. This development follows recent concerns raised by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding her and her nephew's safety. Identified as Rajaram Rege, the arrested individual has affiliations with a political party in Maharashtra, as per an official statement to news agency PTI.

According to police reports, Rege attempted to contact TMC's Diamond Harbour MP and his personal assistant (PA). Additional Commissioner of Police Murlidhar Sharma revealed that Rege had reportedly met David Headley, the prime accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Sharma said that Rege's activities raised suspicion of a potential conspiracy, akin to the 26/11 attacks.

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"Today, our officers arrested Rajaram Rege from Mumbai. He had visited Kolkata last week, stayed here, and conducted a recce of TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's offices and residence. He obtained the mobile phone numbers of Banerjee and his PA and tried to contact them," Sharma said.

“It (the recce) indicates that something similar to 26/11 could have happened. There could be a big conspiracy. We have to check whether there is any such plan," he added.

Authorities are currently probing Rege's motives for visiting Kolkata and examining the documents he used for travel. Rege was in the city from April 18 to 20. The method by which Rege acquired Abhishek Banerjee's contact information remains unclear.

Reacting to the incident, senior TMC leader Derek O'Brien commended the Kolkata Police for averting a potential threat and said, “Today a 26/11 Mumbai terror attack-like incident has been busted, thanks to the Kolkata Police. It was planned on our leader Abhishek Banerjee. The person arrested was involved in the Mumbai terror attack also. Police have enough evidence that he also approached some people.”

Mamata Banerjee's recent remarks about ‘not safe’ came following BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's cryptic statement suggesting a "big explosion" targeting the TMC.

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Banerjee urged vigilance among TMC workers and West Bengal residents against perceived conspiracies targeting the party leadership and the state's populace.

“The BJP is targeting me and Abhishek, we are not safe, but we are also not afraid of the saffron party's conspiracy. We urge everyone to be on guard against a conspiracy against TMC leaders and the people of West Bengal,” TMC supremo had said.