Abhishek Banerjee skips voice sample test again in hate speech case
Synopsis
Abhishek Banerjee has now skipped court twice in a row, refusing to give voice samples in a CID hate speech probe — even as the Calcutta High Court has shielded him from arrest and told him directly he has no excuse not to cooperate. The prosecutor is now demanding strong legal action, and the next court date could force the issue.
Key Takeaways
Abhishek Banerjee failed to appear before Bidhannagar Court for the second consecutive time on 8 July to submit voice samples.
A CID team and forensic experts waited at the court until 12 noon but Banerjee did not show.
Public prosecutor Bivas Chattopadhyay filed a written submission accusing Banerjee of deliberately delaying the investigation and sought strong legal action.
Banerjee is accused of making violence-inciting statements and allegedly threatening Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the recent West Bengal Assembly elections.
The Calcutta High Court declined an urgent hearing on Banerjee's challenge, noting his interim protection from arrest — valid until 31 July — removed any justification for non-cooperation.
Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday, 8 July once again failed to appear before the Bidhannagar Court in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, to submit his voice samples in connection with a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe into an alleged hate speech case linked to the recent Assembly elections. This marks the second consecutive time Banerjee has skipped the court-mandated appearance.
What Happened at the Court
A team of CID officials arrived at the Bidhannagar Court by the stipulated deadline of 12 noon, as directed, and waited alongside forensic experts for Banerjee to appear. He did not show up. Public prosecutor Bivas Chattopadhyay subsequently informed the court that this was the second instance of the TMC general secretary skipping the appearance, arguing that the pattern pointed to a deliberate attempt to disrupt and delay the investigation.
Prosecutor's Written Submission
Chattopadhyay filed a written statement before the court accusing Banerjee of wilfully obstructing the probe. The submission noted that Banerjee stands accused of making violence-inciting statements and allegedly threatening Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The prosecutor urged the court to take strong legal action, contending that the repeated absences constituted deliberate violations of court orders.
Calcutta High Court's Observations
On Tuesday, a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court presided over by Justice Sougata Bhattacharya had raised pointed questions about why Banerjee was unwilling to cooperate with investigators, particularly given that he already holds interim protection from coercive police action — including arrest — granted by the court until 31 July.
Banerjee's counsel had approached Justice Bhattacharya's bench on Tuesday seeking an urgent hearing on a petition challenging the district court's order directing him to provide voice samples. The bench declined to grant urgency, observing that since Banerjee was shielded from coercive action, there was no justification for withholding cooperation with investigators.
Background and What Comes Next
The case centres on an alleged hate speech made during the run-up to the recent West Bengal Assembly elections, in which Banerjee is accused of making statements that incited violence and targeted a senior Union minister. The CID requires voice samples to conduct forensic comparison with the alleged speech recordings.
With the prosecutor now formally on record demanding strong legal action and the Calcutta High Court having declined to fast-track a challenge, the matter is set to return before the Bidhannagar Court, which must now decide whether to escalate consequences for Banerjee's continued non-compliance.
Point of View
Yet he continues to absent himself. If the Bidhannagar Court does not escalate consequences, the precedent is corrosive. The deeper story here is about the CID's ability to pursue politically sensitive investigations in West Bengal without the process being hollowed out through serial adjournments and legal manoeuvring.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Abhishek Banerjee required to give voice samples?
The CID is investigating an alleged hate speech case in which Banerjee is accused of making violence-inciting statements and threatening Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the recent West Bengal Assembly elections. Voice samples are needed for forensic comparison with recordings of the alleged speech.
How many times has Abhishek Banerjee skipped the court appearance?
As of 8 July, Banerjee has skipped the Bidhannagar Court appearance twice. The public prosecutor has cited both absences as deliberate attempts to delay the investigation.
What did the Calcutta High Court say about Banerjee's non-cooperation?
Justice Sougata Bhattacharya of the Calcutta High Court observed on Tuesday that since Banerjee already enjoys interim protection from arrest until 31 July, he has no grounds to withhold voice samples and should cooperate with investigators without further delay. The court declined to grant an urgent hearing on his challenge to the district court's order.
What legal action is being sought against Abhishek Banerjee?
Public prosecutor Bivas Chattopadhyay has filed a written submission before the Bidhannagar Court demanding strong legal action, arguing that Banerjee's repeated absences constitute deliberate violations of court orders.
What protection does Abhishek Banerjee currently have?
The Calcutta High Court has granted Banerjee interim protection from coercive police action, including arrest, until 31 July. However, this protection does not exempt him from complying with court directions to provide voice samples.
