Kolkata Police summons Abhishek Banerjee in billboard removal row
Synopsis
Kolkata Police have summoned TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee — a sitting MP and Mamata Banerjee's nephew — over FIRs that include alleged assault on police and obstruction of civic duty during a crackdown on an illegal billboard at his own party office. With 14 arrests already made and Derek O'Brien also named, this is the most politically charged enforcement action in Kolkata in recent months.
Key Takeaways
Kolkata Police served a summons notice to Abhishek Banerjee on 29 August , directing him to appear at Shakespeare Sarani Police Station on 1 September at 12 noon .
Three FIRs were registered after TMC supporters allegedly obstructed KMC staff and police removing an illegal billboard from the party's Camac Street office.
Two FIRs name Abhishek Banerjee and Rajya Sabha member Derek O'Brien on charges including assault on police and obstruction of duty.
14 persons have been arrested in connection with the unrest so far.
Police Commissioner Ajay K.
Nanda confirmed officers were obstructed and said a detailed investigation is underway, including review of CCTV footage .
Kolkata Police on Saturday night, 29 August served a summons notice to All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary and Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee, directing him to appear before investigators in connection with three FIRs filed over a confrontation at his party office on Camac Street in central Kolkata. The notice was delivered at Banerjee's residence on Kalighat Road and requires him to present himself at Shakespeare Sarani Police Station on 1 September at 12 noon.
What Triggered the FIRs
The dispute stems from a Thursday incident in which TMC supporters allegedly attempted to block Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) staff and police personnel from removing an illegal billboard mounted on the roof of the party's Camac Street office. The confrontation escalated into allegations of obstruction, assault on on-duty officers, and an attempt to outrage the modesty of a female police officer.
Charges and Key Accused
Two of the three FIRs name Abhishek Banerjee — nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee — along with senior TMC leader and Rajya Sabha member Derek O'Brien. The charges include obstructing public servants from performing their duties and assault on police personnel. Since the crackdown began, 14 persons have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the unrest.
What the Police Said
Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay K. Nanda confirmed that officers were obstructed while carrying out their official duties and stated that the matter is under detailed investigation. Police have begun reviewing CCTV footage from the scene to establish a clearer sequence of events.
Broader Context
The incident adds to a pattern of friction between civic enforcement agencies and political outfits in West Bengal over the use of public and private structures for party signage. Illegal hoardings and billboards have been a recurring flashpoint in Kolkata, particularly following a 2024 billboard collapse tragedy that claimed multiple lives and prompted a city-wide enforcement drive. This latest confrontation — involving a sitting MP and a senior Rajya Sabha member — significantly raises the political stakes of that ongoing crackdown.
What Happens Next
All eyes are now on 1 September, when Abhishek Banerjee is expected to appear — or respond formally — to the summons. Legal observers note that compliance or non-compliance with the notice will set the tone for how the investigation proceeds. The TMC has not yet issued an official statement on the summons.
Point of View
And that supporters physically confronted officers during its removal, points to an institutional culture where party authority and civic law have become dangerously blurred. The inclusion of Derek O'Brien, a high-profile Rajya Sabha face, suggests either that the police are making a broader political statement or that the confrontation was genuinely serious. Either way, Abhishek Banerjee's response on 1 September will be closely read as a signal of how the TMC intends to navigate a crackdown it cannot easily dismiss as opposition-driven.
NationPress
30 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Kolkata Police summoned Abhishek Banerjee?
Kolkata Police summoned Abhishek Banerjee in connection with three FIRs filed after TMC supporters allegedly obstructed KMC staff and police from removing an illegal billboard from the party's Camac Street office. Two of the FIRs name him on charges of obstructing officials and assault on on-duty police personnel.
When must Abhishek Banerjee appear before police?
The summons directs him to appear at Shakespeare Sarani Police Station on 1 September at 12 noon. The notice was delivered at his Kalighat Road residence on the night of 29 August.
Who else has been named in the FIRs?
Rajya Sabha member Derek O'Brien has also been named in two of the three FIRs, alongside Abhishek Banerjee, on allegations of obstructing public servants and assault on police.
How many people have been arrested so far?
Police have arrested 14 persons for their alleged involvement in the unrest that followed the attempted billboard removal. Investigations are ongoing, with CCTV footage being reviewed.
What is the broader significance of the illegal billboard crackdown in Kolkata?
Kolkata has been conducting an enforcement drive against illegal hoardings since a deadly billboard collapse in 2024 that claimed multiple lives. The latest confrontation — involving senior TMC leaders — marks the most politically significant flashpoint of that drive.
