Kolkata, 07 October (H.S.): In connection with the dispute over the removal of a billboard from his Camac Street office, personnel from the Shakespeare Sarani police station arrived at the Kalighat residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday evening to serve a notice. However, no one at the residence accepted the notice, as Banerjee is currently in New Delhi.

According to sources, police intend to question the Diamond Harbour MP once again in the Camac Street matter. When police officers reached his residence on Wednesday evening, staff present informed them that the MP was out of town and that no designated person was available to receive the notice. Consequently, the police team had to return empty-handed. Sources indicated that authorities intended to summon Banerjee for questioning on Friday (October 9), but with the notice remaining unserved, uncertainty now looms over the scheduled date for his appearance.

The matter stems from an altercation on August 27 over the removal of a billboard from the terrace of Banerjee’s Camac Street office. During the operation, scuffles and minor clashes erupted between Banerjee's supporters, police personnel, and Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials. Civic authorities had alleged that the hoarding, displaying the TMC name and party symbol, had been erected illegally and posed a safety hazard. Following its removal, supporters had installed a banner bearing the same party insignia at the spot.

Three First Information Reports (FIRs) were lodged at the Shakespeare Sarani police station regarding the incident. In one of these cases, police had previously summoned Banerjee to the station and interrogated him for several hours. Investigators now seek to summon him again to further their probe.

Banerjee is currently in the national capital, holding discussions alongside Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and leaders of the opposition 'INDIA' bloc. The opposition has intensified protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The development also comes ahead of Friday's scheduled counting of votes for the assembly by-elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar.

Attention now turns to the procedural steps the police will take to serve the summon notice and carry forward their investigation.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh