Kolkata, 01 June (H.S.): Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee did not appear before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Monday despite being summoned for questioning. According to party and police sources, Banerjee informed the agency through a letter that he was unable to attend due to health-related concerns.

Banerjee had been directed to appear at the CID headquarters in Bhawani Bhavan at 12 noon in connection with an investigation into an alleged signature-related controversy.

Sources close to the TMC leader said he continues to suffer from health complications following a recent attack. He is reportedly experiencing pain in his right jaw, neck and chest area and has conveyed his inability to appear before investigators on medical grounds. He is currently resting at his residence.

The development comes days after Banerjee was allegedly attacked while visiting people affected by post-election violence. Following the incident, he was initially taken to a private hospital on EM Bypass. Later, he was shifted to another private hospital in the Minto Park area after allegations that he had not received adequate treatment at the first facility. Doctors who examined him subsequently stated that his condition did not warrant hospitalisation and advised him to recover at home.

The case under investigation relates to a controversy surrounding the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition, Deputy Leader and Chief Whip in the West Bengal Assembly. Following the declaration of the Assembly election results, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee convened a meeting of newly elected legislators at her Kalighat residence on May 6. During the meeting, party legislators passed a resolution authorising the party leadership to select the Leader of the Opposition, Deputy Leader and Chief Whip.

Subsequently, the Trinamool Congress announced the appointment of Shovandeb Chattopadhyay as Leader of the Opposition, Nayna Bandyopadhyay and Asima Patra as Deputy Leaders, and Firhad Hakim as Chief Whip. A letter bearing Abhishek Banerjee’s signature was later sent to the Assembly conveying the appointments, but it was reportedly not accepted.

The CID had summoned Banerjee as part of its probe into the signature-related dispute. Following his absence and the submission of medical reasons, attention is now focused on the agency’s next course of action in the matter.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh