West Bengal CID Issues Third Summons to TMC Leader Abhishek Banerjee, June 09

The West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) issued a third summons to Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on June 9, directing him to appear for questioning by 5 pm the same day. Banerjee skipped two previous summonses, citing health reasons and attendance at an opposition INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi. The probe centers on alleged forgery of signatures from 70 TMC legislators on a May 19 resolution nominating Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as Leader of the Opposition.

What the Forgery Case Involves

The CID investigation began after rebel TMC legislators Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha alleged that signatures on a May 19 resolution had been forged. The document nominated Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as Leader of the Opposition and carried signatures purporting to be from around 70 TMC MLAs. Three legislators have told investigators that signatures appearing against their names were not made by them. One MLA from Canning Purba told investigators he did not attend the meeting where the resolution was allegedly adopted.

Why Banerjee Faces Scrutiny

Abhishek Banerjee submitted the disputed resolution to the Assembly Speaker on May 20. As the national general secretary and signatory to the cover letter, investigators are examining his role in how the document was prepared and submitted. No formal charges have been announced against him. However, CID officials have recorded statements from 13 MLAs so far as part of the ongoing probe.

Political Context and Rebel Defections

The forgery case emerged during internal turmoil within the TMC following the party’s defeat in the recent West Bengal Assembly election. On June 3, the Assembly Speaker recognized 58 rebel TMC legislators as the principal opposition bloc in the 294-member House. A large CID team arrived at the TMC office adjacent to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence on June 9 as part of the investigation. The rebel legislators’ move significantly strengthened the position of dissident lawmakers within the assembly.

Banerjee’s Repeated Delays

Banerjee initially sought additional time citing health reasons when first summoned. He then missed a second appearance deadline at noon on June 8, despite travelling to New Delhi for the INDIA bloc meeting. CID officers visited his Kalighat residence in south Kolkata around 4:40 pm on June 8 and recorded the service of notice on video after waiting outside his closed gates. The TMC leader has also moved the Calcutta High Court seeking protection from what he termed coercive action.

Final Thoughts

Abhishek Banerjee faces mounting pressure as the CID pursues its forgery investigation with a third summons. His repeated non-compliance and legal challenges signal a deepening political crisis within the TMC as the party grapples with internal divisions and defections.

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