Kolkata: Hours after Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday moved the Calcutta High Court, seeking protection from any coercive action in the CID case of Trinamool MLA signature forgery, the Enforcement Directorate issued summons to him in the primary teachers' recruitment irregularity case. Banerjee was asked to appear before the ED's Kolkata zonal office on June 15.
Developments in Court and ED Action
The development took place shortly after the Calcutta High Court allowed Banerjee to file a case challenging the CID summons and seeking protection from any coercive action in the MLA signature forgery case. The ED launched a probe in the primary teachers' recruitment case based on an FIR registered by the CBI against alleged irregularities in teachers' appointments.
Security Removal at Banerjee's Residence
On the same day, police from the Kalighat Police Station removed police kiosks, barricades, scanner machines, and other surveillance equipment kept outside Shantiniketan, Banerjee's house on Harish Mukherjee Road. The security convoy and guard rail in front of his house were removed earlier.
Court Proceedings
On a verbal prayer by Banerjee's lawyers, a vacation bench of Justice Apurba Sinha Ray granted permission to file a petition challenging the FIR in the signature forgery case and seeking interim protection from any coercive action by the CID. The case is likely to be heard on Friday.
Background of the CID Summons
The CID sent the summons to Banerjee following the submission of a letter by the Trinamool to the Assembly secretariat on May 19, choosing party MLA Shobhandeb Chattopadhyay as their leader of opposition. The letter, signed by 70-odd newly elected party MLAs, alleged that signatures were forged. A complaint was lodged at the Hare Street Police Station.
Banerjee's Response and Incident
Banerjee skipped his summons to Bhawani Bhawan on Monday, citing health reasons, and reportedly sought a couple of weeks to attend after recovering. CID officers personally handed the summons at his Kalighat home on Saturday afternoon. Later that evening, during a visit to Sonarpur to meet the family of a Trinamool worker allegedly killed in post-poll violence, he was attacked with stones and eggs, leading to injury.
