In a major legal development, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday granted Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee permission to file a petition seeking interim protection from any coercive action by the state CID. The investigation agency is currently probing allegations regarding the forgery of TMC MLAs’ signatures.
The court’s decision offers a temporary reprieve to Banerjee, who is also the TMC national general secretary, amid escalating legal scrutiny and a series of high-profile events over the past week.
High Court Intervention and Next Steps
A vacation bench presided over by Justice Apurba Sinha Ray granted the permission on Wednesday following a verbal prayer submitted by Banerjee’s legal counsel. The upcoming petition will formally challenge the active First Information Report (FIR) and seek interim protection from arrest or other coercive measures by the investigating authorities.
According to Banerjee’s lawyers, the matter is highly time-sensitive and is likely to be taken up for a formal hearing this Friday.
Summons Skipped Amid Illness and Weekend Attack
The High Court’s intervention comes at a chaotic time for the TMC leader. On Saturday, Banerjee was reportedly attacked during a visit to Sonarpur town in the South 24 Parganas district, where he was meeting the family of an alleged victim of post-poll violence.
Following the incident, the CID summoned the MP to appear for questioning on Monday in connection with the signature forgery case. Banerjee, however, did not appear before the agency, citing ill health and requesting an extension.
In response, the CID has issued a fresh notice, directing the TMC national general secretary to present himself before the investigating officer on June 8.
The Root of the Dispute: Alleged Signature Forgery
The investigation centers on a highly disputed party resolution. The controversy began when two legislators—Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha—lodged a complaint with the Assembly Secretariat. The MLAs alleged that their signatures had been forged on a TMC resolution aimed at appointing Ballygunge MLA Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the leader of the opposition.
Following their complaint, the developments moved rapidly:
- The FIR: The Assembly Secretariat filed an official FIR with the Kolkata Police.
- The Transfer: The state’s home secretary subsequently transferred the probe to the state CID for a deeper investigation.
- The Fallout: Both complaining legislators, Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, were later expelled from the TMC under charges of “anti-party activities.”
With the High Court now allowing Banerjee to challenge the FIR directly, all eyes will be on Friday’s scheduled hearing to see if the TMC leader secures the interim protection he is seeking ahead of his June 8 summons.
