CID Team Reaches Abhishek's Home Hours After TMC MP Skips Signature Forgery Summons

Kolkata: The ongoing investigation into the alleged discrepancies in signatures within the West Bengal Legislative Assembly has taken a fresh turn as Trinamool Congress national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee skipped the CID summons citing health reasons. Banerjee was summoned to appear at Bhabani Bhawan at 12 PM by the Special Investigating Team (SIT) formed by the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

According to sources, the investigation was launched following a dispute over a signature on an official document within the Legislative Assembly and the allegations that followed. The investigators have been examining relevant documents, digital records, and statements of those connected to the case. Banerjee’s name reportedly surfaced during the course of the investigation.

In a letter sent to the CID on Monday morning, Banerjee said he is currently unwell and is resting on medical advice. He stated that due to his health condition, he would not be able to appear before investigators as scheduled. Sources said he also assured the agency of his full cooperation with the investigation.

CID officials said the agency will review Banerjee’s communication before deciding on the next course of action. If necessary, a fresh date may be issued for his appearance. Investigators have already begun questioning multiple individuals and examining documents linked to the case. The primary focus of the probe is to determine whether any fraud or illegal activity is connected to the signature controversy.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has alleged that questions over signatures on official Assembly documents are a serious matter and warrant a fair and impartial investigation. The All India Trinamool Congress, on the other hand, has said it will cooperate fully with the investigation in accordance with the law, while warning against any politically motivated action in the course of the investigation.

CID team at Abhishek residence

Within just a few hours—by the evening—a CID team arrived at Abhishek's residence in South Kolkata's Kalighat. This incident has triggered intense political speculation.

Sources said that Abhishek's statement is crucial to the probe into the signature forgery case. It was for this very reason that he had been summoned to Bhabani Bhawan. However, in a letter sent to the CID on Monday morning, Abhishek stated that he had been physically assaulted while participating in a political program in Sonarpur recently. As a result, he has fallen ill and is currently resting on the advice of his doctors. Consequently, it is not possible for him to appear before the investigators at this moment.

Abhishek's lawyers conveyed the same message to the investigating agency. They stated that he would extend his full cooperation to the investigation as soon as his physical condition improves. However, the opposition camp remains unconvinced by this explanation. They alleged that the excuse of illness was merely used to evade facing the investigation. The Trinamool leadership, conversely, maintains that an unnecessary political spin is being put on this matter. They asserted that Abhishek was unable to appear solely due to health reasons, and the party's stance regarding cooperation with the investigation remains unequivocal.

Meanwhile, following Abhishek's absence, a four-member CID team visited his Kalighat residence on Monday evening to ensure the investigation's momentum was maintained. The primary objective of the investigating officers was to serve a notice for his next appearance and to complete the necessary legal formalities.

The investigation into this case was initiated following the discovery of multiple discrepancies regarding signatures on Assembly documents. The SIT has already interrogated several individuals in connection with the case. Investigative sources indicate that documents, witness testimonies, and digital evidence are currently being scrutinised.

According to a section of the political fraternity, the summoning of Abhishek Banerjee—followed by the subsequent presence of the CID at his residence—has added a new dimension to this case. All eyes are now fixed on when a fresh summons will be issued and, ultimately, when the top-ranking Trinamool leader will appear before the investigators. Consequently, speculation regarding the next steps in this much-discussed case is steadily mounting within both political and administrative circles.

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