A team of the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Monday reached the Kolkata residence of Trinamool Congress national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee as part of its investigation into an alleged signature forgery case involving party legislators.
The case revolves around allegations that signatures of several Trinamool Congress MLAs were forged on documents submitted to the West Bengal Assembly Secretariat in support of senior TMC leader Shovondeb Chattopadhyay’s appointment as the Leader of the Opposition. Following complaints and questions over the authenticity of certain signatures, the matter was referred for investigation and is now being handled by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the CID.
According to officials, the CID team visited Banerjee’s residence to serve notices and gather documents connected to the probe. Investigators reportedly sought access to the original party resolution and related records that were submitted to the Assembly. However, Abhishek Banerjee did not appear before the CID on the scheduled date and instead responded through his legal counsel, citing reasons for seeking more time.
The investigation gained momentum after two TMC MLAs challenged the signatures appearing on the documents submitted to the Assembly. Subsequently, an FIR was registered and the case was transferred to the CID for a detailed inquiry. Investigators have already recorded statements from several legislators and collected specimen signatures from MLAs whose names appeared on the disputed documents.
The controversy has triggered a major political confrontation in West Bengal. BJP leaders have accused the Trinamool Congress leadership of manipulating official documents, while TMC leaders have dismissed the allegations as politically motivated attempts to target the opposition. Several party leaders have publicly defended the process through which the documents were prepared and submitted.
In a parallel development, the CID has questioned multiple TMC leaders and legislators as part of the probe. Reports indicate that statements from at least 13 MLAs have already been recorded, with investigators continuing to verify documents and signatures linked to the case.
The probe remains ongoing, and officials say further action will depend on the findings of the SIT. The case has emerged as one of the most politically sensitive investigations in West Bengal in recent weeks, with both the ruling BJP and the Trinamool Congress trading sharp accusations over the issue.
