The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Thursday visited the residence of Aditi Gayen, the niece of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, at her Harish Chatterjee Street address in Kalighat. The purpose was to question her in connection with the First Information Report (FIR) lodged against her cousin, Abhishek Banerjee, concerning his controversial 'DJ' remark made during the election campaign.
Details of the CID Visit
A 10-member CID team arrived around 2 pm in two sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and proceeded directly to the flat located at 29 D Harish Chatterjee Street. They engaged with Aditi Gayen for approximately one hour. A source involved in the investigation stated, 'The CID team went there as part of the verification process. As part of Abhishek’s social media team, she uploads his speeches. It is in this regard that we had a few verifications which needed to be completed. The questions revolved around all forms of social media use—Facebook Lives, uploads on X, and video uploads in the run-up to the elections. We have received her cooperation, along with that of her family members. It is too early to state if she will be made a witness in this case.'
Role of Aditi Gayen
Aditi, the daughter of Mamata Banerjee's sister Rina Gayen, is responsible for managing Abhishek Banerjee's social media pages. She also leads a team of videographers who capture his speeches and manage live streams during his public appearances. Abhishek himself was questioned by the CID for six and a half hours at Bhawani Bhawan on Tuesday in connection with the same hate speech probe. He also faces a similar investigation in Siliguri.
Witness Identification and Evidence Collection
CID sources have indicated that multiple witnesses have been identified in the case and are being contacted sequentially. 'We have asked her for contacts who were present at six venues where Abhishek is accused of making the controversial remarks. We also wanted to know if the ‘playing of the DJ’ remark was part of Abhishek’s instructions or posted by his PR team without his knowledge,' claimed a source. Investigators also questioned her about the recording and dissemination of the speech on Abhishek’s social media platforms.
Background of the DJ Remark
Abhishek Banerjee had reportedly stated that DJs would be played after the declaration of election results on May 4. He said, 'The DJ will definitely play, and it will play so loudly that your ears will ring.' This remark later became the subject of legal action, with allegations that it was provocative and could incite unrest. Two separate FIRs were lodged against him.
Aditi's Long Association with Digital Operations
Aditi has been associated with Abhishek’s media and digital outreach operations for a long time. Party insiders revealed that she handles his social media pages and continues to play a key role in managing digital content and coordinating aspects of his public programmes.
Recent Police Operations in the Area
The CID visit to Kalighat comes days after police from Salboni police station conducted a late-night search operation in the same area while looking for Abhishek’s close aide Sumit Roy in a land scam case. Officers broke open a lock and entered the premises during that operation but failed to trace him.
Political Reactions
Upasana Chowdhury, the head of Trinamool Congress's IT cell, questioned the investigation. 'Before this DJ remark, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said during the election campaign that he would hang people upside down and set them right. No action was taken. State leader Dilip Ghosh had also made controversial remarks. If those statements were objectionable, why was no action taken then? This is an attempt to silence the opposition,' she said while speaking to reporters outside the residence.
Legal Proceedings
The DJ case was registered on May 15 at the Cyber Crime Police Station under the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate, following a complaint filed by activist Rajib Sarkar at Baguiati Police Station. According to police, the complaint was submitted on May 5, a day after election results were declared, and was processed according to due procedure before the FIR was formally lodged. Subsequently, the Bidhannagar cyber cell took up the initial investigation.
Abhishek's Defense
Abhishek Banerjee stated, 'When I made that statement, elections were already underway. At that time, the Election Commission was in charge of law and order. Then why was no FIR filed against me at that time? Now that the government has changed, I will be tagged in several cases… The Union Home Minister had said Trinamool supporters would be hung upside down. The Election Commission took no action against him. If a case can be filed against me for saying that a DJ will be played, then why not against the Home Minister? Why is the CID after my speech, while no case is filed against outsiders?'
