KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress (TMC) National General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee appeared before the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters at Bhabani Bhavan on Thursday evening after the Calcutta High Court directed him to cooperate with investigators in an alleged signature forgery case.
Banerjee reached the CID office shortly before the court-imposed deadline of 6 p.m. According to reports, he arrived around 5:50 p.m. and entered the premises without making any public statement. After initially walking into the office, he briefly returned to complete attendance formalities before proceeding inside for questioning.
The CID wants to question Banerjee in connection with an ongoing investigation into allegations that signatures of several Trinamool Congress MLAs were forged on a letter submitted to the West Bengal Assembly.
The controversy revolves around a document sent to the Speaker regarding appointments within the party’s legislative wing, including the selection of senior leader Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay for a key Assembly position. Some legislators later claimed that their signatures on the document were either forged or improperly used.
The investigation has gained political significance because the disputed letter reportedly carried Banerjee’s signature in his capacity as a senior party functionary. The CID had issued multiple notices summoning him for questioning over the past several days. However, Banerjee did not appear before investigators on earlier occasions, citing health concerns, political commitments, and his presence outside Kolkata.
Seeking protection from possible arrest or coercive action, Banerjee approached the Calcutta High Court. During Thursday’s hearing, the court directed him to appear before the CID by 6 p.m. and cooperate with the investigation. At the same time, the court granted him interim relief by restraining the CID from taking any coercive action against him for a limited period while the matter remains under judicial consideration.
Ahead of Banerjee’s appearance, security arrangements were significantly strengthened around Bhabani Bhavan. Additional police personnel, Rapid Action Force units and central security forces were deployed to prevent any untoward incident and maintain law and order during the questioning process.
The case has also triggered political ripples within the ruling Trinamool Congress. Earlier in the day, senior advocate and party MP Kalyan Banerjee reportedly withdrew from representing Abhishek Banerjee in court and publicly expressed his dissatisfaction, highlighting internal tensions within the party leadership.
The CID has been actively pursuing the investigation in recent days. Search operations were conducted at the Trinamool Congress office in Kalighat as well as at Banerjee’s office in Kolkata. Investigators have also collected handwriting samples from certain legislators as part of their effort to determine whether signatures on the disputed document were genuine.
With Banerjee finally appearing before investigators after repeated summons, the CID’s questioning is expected to play a crucial role in establishing how the disputed document was prepared and submitted. The High Court is scheduled to hear the matter again in the coming weeks as the investigation continues.
