The Calcutta High Court has provided interim protection against arrest to Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Member of Parliament, Abhishek Banerjee, amidst allegations of forgery concerning the appointment of a party leader in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. The ruling came on Thursday, with Justice Kausik Chanda presiding over the matter.
Banerjee, who also serves as the General Secretary of the TMC, sought judicial intervention following accusations from certain TMC Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). They claimed their signatures had been falsified on a resolution regarding the selection of the Leader of the Opposition. This legal development unfolds as the party faces internal turmoil after losing recent Assembly elections to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
As part of the court’s directive, Banerjee has been instructed to appear before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) by 6 PM today, as reported by PTI. Furthermore, he must comply with all requests to participate in the ongoing investigation, as mandated by the investigative body.
During the court proceedings, Banerjee’s legal representative petitioned for protection from arrest, while also affirming Banerjee’s commitment to cooperate fully with the investigation. Justice Chanda granted the request for interim relief, thereby preventing any immediate coercive measures against Banerjee. The court has scheduled a follow-up hearing on the matter for two weeks hence.
