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🇮🇳 India /Crime & Justice

CID issues third summons to TMC's Abhishek Banerjee in signature forgery case

From Hindustan Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Unnamed sources Under investigation
  • The West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has issued a third summons to TMC's Abhishek Banerjee in a signature forgery case.
  • Banerjee, a key suspect, previously missed two summons, citing illness and then flying to Delhi.
  • The case involves alleged forgery of signatures of TMC MLAs on a resolution nominating the leader of the opposition.

The West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has issued a third summons to Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee in connection with a legislators' signature forgery case. Banerjee is considered a key suspect for forwarding a resolution to the speaker.

Abhishek Banerjee was first summoned on June 1 but cited illness and sought more time. He was asked to appear for questioning on June 8 (Monday) but did not turn up, although we found that he had flown to Delhi on Saturday. The third summons, served at his Kalighat residence, gives him only 24 hours.

— state police officerA state police officer, speaking anonymously, detailed the timeline of summons issued to Abhishek Banerjee and his non-compliance.

Banerjee was first summoned on June 1 but cited illness and requested more time. He was subsequently asked to appear on June 8 but reportedly flew to Delhi instead. The latest summons, served at his residence, gives him only 24 hours to appear for questioning.

No comments

— Firhad HakimThe former Kolkata mayor, who met with rebel TMC legislators, declined to speak to reporters.

The case stems from allegations that signatures of several TMC MLAs were forged on a May 19 resolution nominating Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the assembly's leader of opposition. The speaker subsequently ordered a police investigation. Two legislators, Ritabrata and Sandipan Saha, have been expelled from the TMC and are now leading the principal opposition group recognized by the speaker.

I have known Firhad Hakim since 1998, when I appeared for the higher secondary examination. He was a senior cabinet minister and mayor of Kolkata. He and Shamim Ahmed came to meet us. We had a long discussion, but I cannot divulge the details. We have enough numbers, and the numbers will increase.

— RitabrataRitabrata, leader of the rebel TMC legislators, spoke about his meeting with Firhad Hakim and the political numbers game.

Former Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim and another legislator met with Ritabrata, though Hakim declined to comment to reporters. Ritabrata suggested that more TMC MLAs are preparing to leave the party, stating that "enough numbers" are in their favor and will increase.

The speaker did not come to the assembly today. Those who want (to join us) have to write individually to the speaker. No such letter was submitted today. More people will come tomorrow.

— RitabrataRitabrata commented on the process for legislators wishing to join the rebel group.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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