Abhishek Banerjee, Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary and Member of Parliament, appeared before the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Thursday [1].
The appearance follows a legal battle over a signature forgery case linked to the selection of the party’s Letter of Permission (LoP) candidates. Because Banerjee holds a high-ranking position within the TMC, the investigation into the integrity of candidate selection could impact the party's internal stability and public standing ahead of upcoming elections.
Banerjee returned to Kolkata on June 11, 2026 [1], to comply with a directive from the Calcutta High Court. The court had ordered the MP to appear before the CID by 6 p.m. that day [2]. While the court mandated his presence for questioning, it also granted him interim protection from coercive action [3].
The case centers on allegations of forged signatures during the party's candidate selection process. The CID is investigating how these documents were handled and whether the signatures were falsified to influence the LoP process [1].
"Abhishek Banerjee appeared before the West Bengal CID to face questions in the signature forgery case," PTI said [1]. The legal proceedings highlighted the tension between the investigative needs of the state and the protections sought by political figures.
In a separate but related context of party dynamics, senior TMC MP Babul Supriyo commented on the broader political climate. "It is not right to abandon a sinking ship," Supriyo said [4].
The Calcutta High Court's decision to provide interim relief ensures that the investigation can proceed without the immediate risk of arrest, provided the MP cooperates with the CID's queries [3].
“The Calcutta High Court on Thursday granted interim protection from coercive action to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee.”
This development signifies a critical juncture for the Trinamool Congress as it manages internal candidate disputes under judicial and police scrutiny. The court's decision to grant interim protection while requiring a physical appearance balances the legal necessity of an active investigation with the prevention of immediate political destabilization. The outcome of the CID's questioning will likely determine if the forgery allegations lead to formal charges against the party's national general secretary.
