Kolkata, 08 June (H.S.) : The West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has issued a third notice to Trinamool Congress national general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee, directing him to appear for questioning by 5 PM on Tuesday at its headquarters in South Kolkata.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities and inconsistencies in signatures of several Trinamool Congress MLAs in a proposal related to key positions reserved for the opposition in the state assembly.

This is the third summons issued to Banerjee in the matter. The first notice directed him to appear on June 1, to which he reportedly sought 15 days’ time citing health reasons and injuries. A second notice subsequently asked him to appear by Monday noon, which he did not comply with.

According to sources, a CID team visited his residence on Kalyangarh Road in Kolkata on Monday afternoon and served the third notice.

Reports suggest that Abhishek Banerjee is currently in New Delhi attending a meeting of the opposition INDIA bloc along with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. It remains to be seen whether he will comply with the CID directive within the stipulated deadline.

Meanwhile, Banerjee has challenged the CID summons in the Calcutta High Court, seeking protection from any coercive action. The matter is scheduled to be heard on June 10 by a vacation bench of the Calcutta High Court. Earlier, the court had declined his plea for urgent hearing.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh