Calcutta High Court Grants Interim Protection To Abhishek Banerjee In MLA Signature Forgery Case

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday granted interim protection from coercive action to Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee in connection with the CID investigation into the alleged forgery of signatures of two party MLAs. While extending temporary relief, the court directed the Diamond Harbour MP to appear before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at 6 pm on Thursday and cooperate with the ongoing investigation. The order was passed on a petition filed by Banerjee seeking protection from any coercive action by the investigating agency and the quashing of the FIR registered in the case. Court Says Document Cannot Be Compelled During the hearing, the high court observed that investigators could not compel Banerjee to produce the allegedly forged document. The court held that if the CID required the document for the purpose of the investigation, it would have to obtain it through legally sanctioned procedures available under law, including search and seizure mechanisms. At the same time, the court made it clear that Banerjee was required to cooperate fully with the investigation and present himself before the agency for questioning. ALSO READ | TMC Leader Prakash Chik Baraik Resigns From Rajya Sabha, Third MP To Quit In A Week Petition Filed After CID Action at Office The matter reached the high court on Wednesday after Banerjee's counsel, Kalyan Banerjee, sought an urgent hearing before the bench of Justice Kausik Chanda. During the proceedings, the counsel informed the court that the CID had conducted a search operation at the TMC leader's office on Tuesday when he was not present. Taking note of the submissions, Justice Chanda agreed to hear the matter on Thursday, leading to the interim order. Allegations Linked to Assembly Resolution The case relates to allegations that the signatures of two Trinamool Congress legislators were forged on a party resolution concerning the appointment of Ballygunge MLA Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. According to the complaint, MLAs Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha informed the Assembly Secretariat that the signatures appearing against their names on the resolution were not genuine. Following the complaint, the Assembly Secretariat lodged an FIR with Kolkata Police, triggering a formal investigation. CID Took Over Probe The investigation was later transferred to the CID on the direction of the state's home secretary. Since taking charge of the case, the agency has been examining the allegations and gathering evidence related to the purported forgery. In his petition before the high court, Abhishek Banerjee challenged the FIR and sought judicial protection against any coercive measures that could be initiated by the CID during the course of the probe. ALSO READ | Saayoni Ghosh Joins TMC Rebels, Meets Bhupender Yadav As Party Crisis Deepens Political Spotlight on Case The case has attracted considerable political attention, particularly after the CID conducted a search operation at Banerjee's office earlier this week. The high court's interim relief provides temporary protection to the TMC MP while ensuring that the investigation continues without obstruction. Further proceedings in the matter are expected as the CID continues its probe into the allegations surrounding the disputed party resolution.