Exposed: How Kolkata's construction mafia is working under TMC's patronage
India Today's special investigation team went to Kolkata to uncover the truth about a construction syndicate run by TMC members. But who really controls the syndicate?
A part of an under-construction flyover collapsed in Kolkata on March 31 killing 21 people. Several questions were raised about the incident. Political parties accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of corruption and turning a blind eye towards the use of substandard material. The flyover collapse also exposed the dirty secret of Kolkata's construction syndicate.
Locals are aware of the 'syndicate', but no one wants to talk about it. It is also known that the notorious extortion racket is run by Trinamool members in areas where real estate is booming. But who really controls the syndicate?
Bengal's Syndicate Raj
India Today's special investigation team went to Kolkata to uncover the truth about the syndicate. Our reporters posed as businessmen wanting to construct office space in Kolkata's posh New Town.
Our team met Jiyar, who handles the syndicate in New Town. As soon the 'businessmen' told him that they wanted to build an office, Jiyar asked them to meet the head of the syndicate. Here's how the conversation went:
Reporter: We have been told that we can't work here without the syndicate's help...
Jiyar: No. There's no issue if you purchase land here but you need syndicate's approval for any type of construction work.
Reporter: What is this syndicate?
Jiyar: We are from the syndicate... Shibu Islam...he is the main person. He is the vice-president of TMC's north unit...he is a nice man.
Reporter: Okay, so he is the main person of the syndicate.
Jiyar: Haan... Mukhiya...nobody will bother you if he is with you.
Jiyar also made it clear that no work in the area can be carried out without the permission of the syndicate. On Jiyar's instruction, India Today investigation team then went to meet with the syndicate's head, Shibu Islam.
When we met Islam at his office, there were close to 500 people present there. No construction can be carried out in New Town without Shibu Islam's approval.
Shibu Islam made it absolutely clear that from the MLA to the MP no one will bother since we were working with him. But all the construction material will come from him. And if we tried to work on our own, it would be a problem. Here's the conversation that we had with him:
Shibu: Is the construction plan ready? You have to start construction... who is the contractor? Give the contract to one of our men... don't bother about the raw materials... we will take care of it all.
Reporter: ...and what about MLA, MP. Wouldn't there be any issue?
Shibu: That I will see.
Reporter: We need to note down...what things you'll provide?
Shibu: Everything... cement, steel, iron everything will be our headache, you need not worry about it. There will be a proper agreement. But first, you need to show me the construction plan.
Reporter: Will there be any issue if our company purchases materials from other suppliers?
Shibhu: Thoda problem to hoga...
Reporter: Syndicate will not allow it?
Shibu: You see these men ... there are thousands of them.
Kolkata's 'Neta' syndicate
The links within the syndicate go from TMC workers, party functionaries and MLAs. India Today's special investigation team next got in touch with TMC MLA for Bhatpara, Arjun Singh. We met him as representatives of an MNC, wanting to buy land to construct an office in New Town and Arjun Singh promised us that our work will be done.
Arjun Singh went on to explain how the entire system worked, saying at least it was not like the Mumbai underworld.
Arjun: The system is different at different places. How they will help you is upto them. Will talk after the elections.
Reporter: Okay.
Arjun: After elections...yes. At least here it's not like Mumbai where you have to arrange money for Bhai irrespective of the fact whether your work is done or not.
The India Today team then met with Madhyagram MLA and chairman of the municipal corporation Rathin Ghosh. We told Ghosh that we have land near the airport and are facing problems with the syndicate. Ghosh directed us to the councillor. No questions asked.
Councillor Nimayi Ghosh told us we didn't need to worry about the middleman. Everything needed his signature and he would ensure that no one troubled us.
Nimayi: You will first need to get the tax mutation thing done and then your construction plan will be sactioned by the municipality...they will need my sign.
Reporter: Okay but sir... if you could tell us what we have to give to the party? I would start arranging for funds if I get to know that...
Nimayi: You first need to finalise the deal with Bajaj while I find you who is this Kasim (broker)...
Reporter: Okay...and there will be no issue right? I mean you will take care of the syndicate and all...
Nimayi: Leave that to us...
The rot in the Kolkata builder mafia ran all the way from the municipal councillor to the MLA. Even the commissioner of Kolkata Municipal Corporation knew that the syndicate worked like a well oiled machine.
During the course of the investigation, our reporters also met Sushanto Gupto, the director of Uma Associates. Sushanto told us that he knew several TMC leaders associated with the syndicate. Sushanto took us to TMC'S state youth secretary Kanishka Majumdar.
Kanishka Majumdar explained how he would make us meet the local MLA and in exchange for money, the MLA would then introduce us to the syndicate. The TMC youth leader then told us how to route money through Hawala.
Kanishka: You won't be able to send the money in flight or by train ...Hundi is the only solution.
Reporter: Hundi? We are not aware what that is...
Kanishka: Your's is an international firm and it is not aware about what Hundi is?
Reporter: Do you mean Hawala?
Kanishka: Yes, Hawala.
Civic authorities, politicians and hawala money. A nexus that is edifice of all construction in Kolkata. Will Mamata Banerjee take note of the flourishing construction mafia in her backyard? Or is it too much to ask from the Bengal CM considering its implications in the election season?