Kolkata, Jul 3 (PTI) The Calcutta High Court on Friday extended interim protection to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee from coercive action for a month in a signature forgery case regarding the party’s choice of Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal assembly.
The high court had initially granted Banerjee conditional protection from any coercive action in the case on June 11 for three weeks, which was later extended by a fortnight.
Banerjee appeared before the CID at its headquarters Bhabani Bhaban here on June 11 for questioning in the case as directed by Justice Kausik Chanda of the high court.
Justice Chanda, before whom the matter came up for hearing on Friday, extended Banerjee’s interim protection by one month.
While granting interim protection to Banerjee on June 11, Justice Chanda had directed the TMC MP to meet the investigation agency thereafter as and when required, with 24-hour advance notice.
The CID is investigating a complaint filed with the assembly secretariat by two rebel TMC MLAs alleging that their signatures were forged on the party’s resolution appointing Ballygunge MLA Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the leader of the opposition.
The assembly secretariat filed an FIR with the Kolkata Police over the complaint by the two MLAs – Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, and the probe was later transferred to the CID by the state’s Home secretary.
Prior to the high court order on June 11, the Diamond Harbour MP had been summoned by the CID thrice, but he did not appear before the investigation agency citing different reasons, according to the state’s lawyer. PTI AMR NN
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