CID questions TMC MLA Sovandeb Chattopadhyay in WB Assembly signature probe
Synopsis
A senior TMC legislator was questioned by the CID over alleged signature forgery on a resolution that would have made him Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly — a post now held by the very lawmaker whose complaint triggered the probe. The case has exposed a rare and open factional war inside the TMC's legislative ranks.
Key Takeaways
CID questioned Sovandeb Chattopadhyay for nearly an hour at his Kolkata residence on 20 June .
The probe concerns alleged signature mismatches on a resolution proposing Chattopadhyay as Leader of the Opposition and Firhad Hakim as Chief Whip in the West Bengal Assembly .
Allegations were first raised by TMC legislators Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha , who were subsequently suspended by the party.
A counter-resolution backed by 60 legislators was accepted by Speaker Rathindra Bose , leading to Banerjee being recognised as Leader of the Opposition .
Chattopadhyay has said he cooperated fully and urged the CID to also probe those who raised the original allegations.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the West Bengal Police on Saturday, 20 June questioned senior All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Sovandeb Chattopadhyay for nearly an hour at his residence in Kolkata, as part of an ongoing probe into alleged signature mismatches on a resolution related to key West Bengal Legislative Assembly posts. The investigation centres on whether the signatures of several TMC legislators on the document were genuine.
What the Investigation Covers
CID officers visited Chattopadhyay's home in the afternoon to question him in connection with allegations that signatures of certain TMC members of the legislative assembly on a resolution submitted to Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose did not match their originals. The resolution in question had proposed the appointment of Chattopadhyay as Leader of the Opposition, Asima Patra and Nayna Bandopadhyay as Deputy Leaders of the Opposition, and Firhad Hakim as Chief Whip of the Trinamool Legislature Party in the Assembly.
What Chattopadhyay Said
Speaking to reporters after the questioning, Chattopadhyay said he had offered investigators his full cooperation. “I have clearly informed the CID officers that, as a responsible member of the West Bengal Assembly, I am ready to extend all possible cooperation to the investigation. At the same time, I urged them to also investigate those whose allegations led to the initiation of this probe. That is important because the very people raising these questions today were present when the resolution was signed,” he said.
How the Probe Was Triggered
The alleged discrepancies were first flagged by legislators Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, prompting the CID to launch a formal inquiry last month. Shortly after the allegations surfaced, the Trinamool Congress suspended both Banerjee and Saha. Notably, the development set off a broader revolt within the TMC legislative group, with 60 legislators led by the officially recognised Leader of the Opposition submitting a fresh resolution claiming majority support within the party's legislative wing.
Assembly Speaker's Decision and Its Fallout
Speaker Rathindra Bose subsequently accepted the new resolution, following which Ritabrata Banerjee was formally recognised as the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. The episode has exposed a deepening factional rift within the TMC's legislative ranks, with the signature dispute now serving as the legal flashpoint for what is effectively an internal power struggle over Opposition bench appointments. The CID's questioning of Chattopadhyay signals the investigation is moving up the seniority ladder, and further summons to other named legislators cannot be ruled out.
Point of View
And the CID's subsequent activation, will both face scrutiny for the sequence in which institutional levers were pulled.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the CID questioning Sovandeb Chattopadhyay?
The CID is questioning Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as part of a probe into alleged mismatches between the signatures of certain TMC legislators on a resolution and their original signatures. The resolution had proposed Chattopadhyay as Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly.
What was the resolution at the centre of this dispute?
The resolution was submitted to Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose and proposed the appointment of Chattopadhyay as Leader of the Opposition, Asima Patra and Nayna Bandopadhyay as Deputy Leaders, and Firhad Hakim as Chief Whip of the Trinamool Legislature Party.
Who first raised the signature mismatch allegations?
TMC legislators Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha first flagged the alleged discrepancies, prompting the CID to launch a formal inquiry. Both were subsequently suspended by the Trinamool Congress.
Who is currently recognised as Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly?
Ritabrata Banerjee is currently the formally recognised Leader of the Opposition after Speaker Rathindra Bose accepted a fresh resolution backed by 60 TMC legislators claiming majority support within the party's legislative wing.
What did Chattopadhyay say after being questioned by the CID?
Chattopadhyay said he cooperated fully with investigators and urged the CID to also probe the legislators who raised the original allegations, noting that they were present when the resolution was signed.
