Trinamool Congress General Secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee arrived at the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the West Bengal Police on Thursday, 11 June, to face questioning in the legislators' signature mismatch case. He entered Bhabani Bhavan in South Kolkata at 5:55 p.m. — just five minutes before the court-mandated deadline.

Court Order That Triggered the Appearance

A single-judge vacation bench of Justice Kaushik Chanda of the Calcutta High Court directed Banerjee to present himself at the CID office by 6 p.m. on Thursday. The bench noted that Banerjee had already evaded summons in the matter on three previous occasions and made clear that further non-compliance would not be tolerated.

The court simultaneously granted Banerjee an interim protection from coercive police action, including arrest, for the next 21 days. The bench also directed him to fully cooperate with CID investigators and authorised the agency to conduct raid and search operations if necessary.

Rush Back From New Delhi

When the court order was pronounced, Banerjee was in New Delhi. He immediately flew back to Kolkata, landing at Kolkata Airport at around 4 p.m. He briefly stopped at his residence on Kalighat Road before proceeding to Bhabani Bhavan, the CID headquarters located roughly a kilometre away. On arrival, he signed the visitors' register at the building's entrance but declined to answer questions from waiting journalists.

The Signature Mismatch Case

The case centres on an alleged mismatch in signatures of Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislators. The precise nature of the forgery or discrepancy has not been detailed in official statements, but the CID has been pursuing the investigation with court backing. Banerjee, who is also the nephew of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is among those being questioned in connection with the matter.

This is the first time Banerjee has appeared before the CID in this case, following three earlier instances where he did not respond to summons. The court's firm directive and the accompanying 21-day arrest protection mark a significant procedural development, signalling that the investigation is entering a more active phase.

What Happens Next

With the interim protection from arrest in place for 21 days, the CID will proceed with its questioning. The court's authorisation for raids and searches broadens the agency's investigative scope. Legal observers note that the next hearing will be closely watched to determine whether Banerjee's cooperation satisfies the court's conditions or whether further judicial intervention becomes necessary.