Kolkata Police have arrested 13 Trinamool Congress activists and registered three FIRs in connection with the standoff over the removal of an illegal billboard from the roof of Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee's office at 9 Camac Street, Central Kolkata, on 28 August. The cases carry several non-bailable sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

Three FIRs, Named Accused

All three cases were registered at Shakespeare Sarani Police Station. The first was filed on a complaint by an officer of Shakespeare Sarani Police Station; the second on a complaint by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC); and the third — against unknown persons — on a complaint by an officer of the adjacent Park Street Police Station.

The first two FIRs name Abhishek Banerjee, nephew of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee; Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Derek O'Brien; and party leaders Humayun Kabir and Baishwanar Chatterjee, among others.

How the Standoff Unfolded

On Thursday afternoon, KMC authorities formally requested police assistance in writing to remove the illegal hoarding at the Camac Street address. Officers from Shakespeare Sarani Police Station accompanied municipal officials to the site. According to the police statement, as soon as officials arrived, a large group of Trinamool supporters — including those now named in the FIRs — gathered and physically blocked the KMC staff and police from entering the premises.

Banerjee initially challenged the legal validity of the removal order, arguing that the billboard's photograph had not been attached to the notice copy. KMC officials withdrew to obtain a revised order. On their return, police cordoned off the entire area and escorted municipal workers up the staircase to the roof. Trinamool activists, including women supporters, reportedly formed human chains on the staircase to impede their movement. A scuffle followed before police cleared the way and the billboard was eventually broken and removed.

Allegations Against Protesters

Kolkata Police alleged that officers and municipal workers at the scene were physically attacked by the agitators. Specifically, police claimed that a female police officer on duty was assaulted, with attempts to outrage her modesty. Protesters were also accused of using abusive language and threatening personnel. The police statement said strict legal action against all those involved has been initiated.

Political and Legal Significance

The incident marks a rare instance of Kolkata Police — which operates under the state government led by Banerjee's own party — filing non-bailable charges against senior Trinamool Congress figures. Notably, Abhishek Banerjee is widely regarded as the second most powerful figure in the Trinamool Congress after Mamata Banerjee. The confrontation drew attention to questions of municipal authority, political impunity, and law enforcement independence in West Bengal. The standoff continued into Thursday night before the situation was brought under control.