Kolkata, May 12 -- Fresh controversy has erupted in Howrah's Shibpur after police, while searching for local Trinamool Congress leader Mohammed Shamim alias "Bore," reportedly stumbled upon what locals are calling an underground "palatial residence" hidden inside his multi-storeyed property. The discovery, which allegedly includes secret tunnel-like passages connecting different underground floors, has sparked intense political debate and public curiosity across the district.
According to reports, Shamim is the husband of former councillor Samima Bano and had earlier served as a ward-level leader of the Trinamool Congress.
His name recently surfaced in connection with post-poll violence in the area, including allegations of bomb attacks and armed intimidation.
Police reportedly arrested several accused in the case, but Shamim remained at large, prompting officers to raid his residence in search of him.
What officers allegedly found during the search has now become the centre of political discussion.
Reports suggest the house contains expensive wooden furniture, air-conditioned chambers, refrigerators and several luxury interiors resembling a boutique hotel rather than a local political worker's residence.
The presence of concealed stairways and underground sections has further fueled speculation about the scale of wealth and its possible sources.
The incident has triggered sharp reactions from opposition leaders, who have questioned how a grassroots political functionary could maintain such a lavish lifestyle.
The controversy has also reignited past allegations against Shamim, whose name had reportedly surfaced earlier in multiple criminal and communal disturbance cases.
As investigators continue their probe, the "Shibpur mansion" has quickly become one of Bengal's most talked-about political flashpoints.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.