Kolkata : The ongoing turmoil within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) escalated on Tuesday as a team from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrived at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Kalighat residence in Kolkata. The premises also house the party’s central office.
According to sources, CID officials were initially denied entry into the compound. However, after additional police personnel arrived at the scene, the investigation team was allowed to enter and begin its inquiry.
Former TMC MP Subhasish Chakraborty said permission for the search was not granted in the absence of Abhishek Banerjee. He stated that the agency would be allowed to proceed with its investigation after Abhishek’s arrival.
Forgery Allegations Trigger Investigation
The CID probe stems from a complaint submitted by a group of rebel TMC legislators to the Assembly Speaker. The legislators alleged that a proposal seeking the appointment of Shobhandeb Chattopadhyay as Leader of the Opposition was prepared using Abhishek Banerjee’s official letterhead and contained forged signatures.
The rebel MLAs have directly accused Abhishek Banerjee of facilitating the alleged fabrication of signatures.
A CID team had earlier visited Abhishek Banerjee’s residence in Kalighat on Monday but was unable to meet him as he was in New Delhi attending a meeting of the INDIA bloc.
CID Reaches TMC Central Office Based on Abhishek’s Response
According to CID officials, Abhishek Banerjee, in his response to the agency’s notice, stated that the signatures of legislators had been collected at the TMC central office located at 30B Harish Chatterjee Street.
The office is situated within the same Kalighat complex that houses Mamata Banerjee’s residence. Acting on this information, investigators visited the premises to verify documents and gather evidence related to the allegations.
Sources within the CID said Abhishek had requested additional time to appear before investigators, citing pre-scheduled political engagements, including the INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi.
The agency had directed him to appear before investigators by 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
Investigation Begins After Additional Police Deployment
Following the CID team’s arrival, senior officers from Kalighat Police Station also reached the location and held discussions with security personnel stationed at the premises.
After gaining access, CID officials began examining documents and conducting verification procedures. Simultaneously, another CID team visited Abhishek Banerjee’s office on Camac Street as part of the ongoing investigation.
High Court to Hear Plea Against Recognition of Ritabrata Banerjee
The political controversy has also reached the judiciary.
A petition has been filed before the Calcutta High Court challenging the Assembly Speaker’s decision to recognize expelled TMC MLA Ritabrata Banerjee as the leader of the TMC legislative group and grant him recognition as Leader of the Opposition.
The matter is scheduled for hearing on June 10.
The dispute dates back to June 3, when rebel TMC legislators submitted a letter of support to the Assembly Speaker backing Ritabrata Banerjee’s candidature for the post of Leader of the Opposition.
Two MLAs Expelled After Raising Forgery Allegations
The controversy intensified after Mamata Banerjee expelled MLAs Sandipan Saha and Ritabrata Banerjee from the party.
The two legislators had approached the Speaker alleging that their signatures were forged on a proposal supporting Shobhandeb Chattopadhyay as Leader of the Opposition.
Saha and Banerjee claim they were expelled from the party for raising concerns over the alleged forgery.
Subsequently, on June 3, 58 of TMC’s 80 MLAs reportedly extended support to rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee. He was elected as the opposition leader and later received formal recognition from the Assembly Speaker.
The developments mark a significant escalation in the internal crisis facing the Trinamool Congress, with legal, political, and investigative battles unfolding simultaneously as rival factions continue to challenge each other’s legitimacy.