Calcutta HC grants Kirti Azad interim arrest protection in extortion case
Synopsis
Calcutta High Court has shielded cricketer-turned-politician Kirti Azad from arrest in an extortion case where a businessman alleges he was threatened with the closure of his cooking gas business if he didn't pay ₹15 lakh. The FIR was filed 15 months after the alleged incident — a delay Azad's counsel argues undermines the case — and Azad insists he wasn't even in Durgapur that day.
Key Takeaways
The Calcutta High Court on 15 September 2026 granted interim protection from arrest to TMC MP Kirti Azad in an extortion case.
Justice Kaushik Chanda directed Azad to cooperate fully with the CID of West Bengal Police.
The CID is scheduled to question Azad at Bhabani Bhaban , Kolkata, on 22 September .
A businessman alleged that ₹15 lakh was demanded at Azad's Durgapur bungalow on 21 May last year, with threats to shut his cooking gas business.
Azad's counsel flagged a 15-month delay in FIR registration and submitted flight records to dispute Azad's presence in Durgapur that day.
Azad has also filed a separate petition in the High Court seeking quashing of the FIR .
The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, granted interim protection from coercive police action — including arrest — to All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) Lok Sabha member and former cricketer Kirti Azad in an extortion case registered against him in West Bengal. The relief was granted while directing Azad to fully cooperate with the ongoing probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the West Bengal Police.
What the Court Ordered
A single-judge bench of Justice Kaushik Chanda issued the interim protection while hearing Azad's anticipatory bail plea. The bench specified that if the CID needs to summon Azad for interrogation, it must serve him a notice at least seven days in advance. The court made clear that the interim protection is conditional on Azad's continued cooperation with investigators.
The CID counsel informed the court that Azad had already been summoned for questioning at the agency's headquarters — Bhabani Bhaban in South Kolkata — on 22 September.
The Extortion Allegations
According to the allegations, a businessman was called to Azad's bungalow in Durgapur on 21 May last year, where an associate of Azad allegedly demanded ₹15 lakh from him. The businessman alleged he was threatened with the closure of his cooking gas business if he failed to pay the amount, and claimed the incident was captured on audio recording.
An FIR was subsequently registered against Azad and some of his associates. Azad has denied all allegations, describing them as part of a 'conspiracy to malign him'.
Azad's Defence Before the Court
Azad's counsel raised several points during the hearing. First, he questioned the significant delay in registering the FIR — lodged approximately 15 months after the alleged incident. Second, he argued that no evidence had been placed on record to establish that Azad had received the alleged extortion amount. He also submitted that Azad was willing to cooperate with the investigation and that his custody was not required for any purpose.
To counter the allegations, Azad submitted his flight details before the court, claiming he was not present in Durgapur on the day the incident allegedly took place. He has separately approached the High Court seeking quashing of the FIR entirely.
Political Background
Azad represents the Bardhaman Durgapur Lok Sabha constituency and is among eight TMC Lok Sabha members who remain aligned with the party's former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. This comes amid broader political turbulence within TMC's parliamentary ranks.
What Happens Next
The CID's scheduled questioning of Azad on 22 September will be a significant moment in the investigation. The interim protection granted by the Calcutta High Court will continue to hold as long as Azad cooperates with investigators. His separate petition seeking quashing of the FIR is also pending before the court, adding another legal dimension to the case.
Point of View
Or a sign that the complaint process was manipulated for timing. Courts have consistently treated delay in filing as a relevant, though not decisive, factor in extortion matters. What makes this politically layered is Azad's position within a faction of TMC aligned with both Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee — in a state where the boundary between law enforcement and political pressure has long been contested. The audio recording, if authenticated, could significantly shift the evidentiary balance irrespective of the delay argument.
NationPress
15 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Calcutta High Court grant Kirti Azad interim protection from arrest?
The Calcutta High Court granted interim protection to TMC MP Kirti Azad while hearing his anticipatory bail plea in an extortion case. The court conditioned the relief on Azad fully cooperating with the CID investigation, including appearing for questioning when summoned.
What are the extortion allegations against Kirti Azad?
A businessman alleged that he was called to Azad's bungalow in Durgapur on 21 May last year, where an associate of Azad demanded ₹15 lakh and threatened to shut down his cooking gas business. The businessman claimed the incident was captured on audio, and an FIR was later registered against Azad and his associates.
When will the CID question Kirti Azad?
The CID has summoned Kirti Azad for questioning at Bhabani Bhaban in South Kolkata on 22 September. The Calcutta High Court has mandated that any CID summons must be served at least seven days in advance.
What is Kirti Azad's defence in the extortion case?
Azad has denied all allegations, calling them a conspiracy to malign him. His counsel highlighted that the FIR was filed roughly 15 months after the alleged incident and submitted flight records to establish that Azad was not in Durgapur on the day in question. He has also filed a separate petition to quash the FIR.
Who is Kirti Azad and which constituency does he represent?
Kirti Azad is a former Indian cricketer and current TMC Lok Sabha member representing the Bardhaman Durgapur constituency. He is among eight TMC MPs who remain aligned with party leader Mamata Banerjee and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
