Kolkata: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Friday issued back-to-back summons to Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The first summons, related to the Signgate investigation, asked him to appear before the agency on June 14. The second summons, over comments he made during the election campaign, required his presence on June 16.
Background of the Summons
This development came a day after Abhishek spent five-and-a-half hours answering CID's questions on Thursday. The Calcutta High Court had granted him three weeks of protection from arrest prior to this. CID stated that it wanted to question Abhishek again in the Signgate case because he had "avoided direct answers" during Thursday's interrogation.
Details of the Signgate Investigation
Sources within CID revealed that Abhishek repeatedly answered "I don't know" to several questions. Investigators sought clarification on how signatures of at least five MLAs, who were reportedly absent from a party meeting, appeared on a resolution. A CID source said, "The investigation is focused on establishing the authenticity of documents with us and the timeline and circumstances under which they were prepared and submitted."
CID has also summoned Trinamool MLA Kunal Ghosh for questioning in the same case on June 14. Ghosh has been called in the second half of the day. Sources indicated that they may make Abhishek confront Ghosh during the questioning.
Abhishek's Response
Abhishek disputed CID's claim, stating that he had cooperated with investigators and confirmed he would attend the June 14 summons. "I have never skipped or fled any investigation. Earlier, whenever CBI or ED called me in Kolkata and Delhi, I complied and cooperated. I am doing the same now as well," he added.
Second Summons Over Poll Comments
Regarding the second summons over his comments during the election campaign, Abhishek questioned why he was being singled out when the Union Home Minister had "threatened to hang Trinamool supporters upside down." He argued, "At the time I made the statement, the Election Commission was in charge of law and order. Why was no FIR registered against me at the time?"
"Now that the government has changed, I will be tagged in multiple cases. But if a case can be filed against me for saying 'DJ will play', then why won't one be filed against the Union Home Minister?" he asked further.
Delivery of the Second Summons
When CID officials went to Abhishek's residence to deliver the second summons at around 4:40 pm on Friday, he was not at home. CID officials said they waited for about three hours due to confusion over who would receive the summons on Abhishek's behalf. They could only deliver the summons at around 8 pm.
Abhishek contested CID's claims, saying, "Today there was a meeting at former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's residence. At 4:30 pm, I got news of the notice. Through my secretary, I requested if the summons could be received by someone else on my behalf, and that if it had to be served to me personally, they would have to wait. I came back at 7:15 pm, and the CID officials were not there." He added that CID officials could call him and he would inform them when he would be available.
Nature of the Complaint
CID sources said the complaint that led to the second summons referred to speeches Abhishek delivered in Maheshtala, Arambagh, Haringhata, and Nandigram during the election campaign. The complainant, Rajib Sarkar, alleged that the Trinamool MP used aggressive language targeting then-opposition workers and that his comments had the potential to disrupt peace.
