Abhishek Banerjee faces third CID summons in TMC MLA signature mismatch case
Synopsis
Three summons, two no-shows, and a Calcutta High Court petition — Abhishek Banerjee's standoff with the CID over the TMC MLA signature forgery case has reached a critical juncture. With a 5 p.m. Tuesday deadline and a High Court hearing the very next morning, the next 24 hours could define the legal and political fallout for one of Bengal's most powerful figures.
Key Takeaways
Abhishek Banerjee , TMC general secretary and Lok Sabha MP, has received a third CID summons to appear at Bhabani Bhavan by 5 p.m. on 9 June .
The case involves allegations that signatures of several TMC MLAs were forged on official documents submitted to the West Bengal Assembly .
Banerjee missed two earlier deadlines — 1 June (citing medical issues after an assault in Sonarpur) and 8 June (attending the INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi).
He has petitioned the Calcutta High Court challenging the summons and seeking protection from arrest; the first hearing is scheduled for 10 June before Justice Chaitali Chatterjee Das .
Legal experts say the CID is empowered to escalate action after three missed summons, though the pending court hearing is expected to influence its next steps.
All eyes in West Bengal's political circles are fixed on Bhabani Bhavan, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in South Kolkata, on Tuesday, 9 June, as Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee faces his third consecutive summons to appear for interrogation in the MLA signature mismatch case. The case centres on allegations that signatures of several TMC legislators were forged on official documents submitted to the West Bengal Assembly.
Background: What the Case Is About
The matter was set in motion after a number of TMC Members of the Legislative Assembly filed complaints alleging that their signatures had been forged on official Assembly documents. The CID registered the case and began its probe, with Abhishek Banerjee — nephew of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee — emerging as a key person of interest called for questioning.
A Pattern of Missed Appearances
The CID first served notice on 30 May, directing Banerjee to appear at CID headquarters on 1 June. He responded by seeking a 15-day extension, citing medical issues following an assault at Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas district on the afternoon of 30 May.
A second notice was then issued, calling him to appear by noon on 8 June. On that date, Banerjee was in New Delhi accompanying Mamata Banerjee for the INDIA bloc meeting, and again sought additional time. The same afternoon, the CID served a third notice directing him to present himself at Bhabani Bhavan by 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
Legal Shield: High Court Petition
Legal circles note that Banerjee does have a procedural safeguard in play. Last week, he approached the Calcutta High Court with a petition challenging the CID summons and seeking interim protection against coercive police action, including arrest. The petition also sought a fast-track hearing.
A single-judge vacation bench of Justice Chaitali Chatterjee Das admitted the petition but declined the fast-track plea, scheduling the first hearing for Wednesday, 10 June. Legal observers point out that the pending High Court hearing provides Banerjee a degree of cover against immediate coercive action by the CID on Tuesday.
What Happens If He Stays Away Again
According to legal experts, since this is the third consecutive summons Banerjee has not complied with, the CID would be within its rights to escalate and take action against him. However, the scheduled High Court hearing on 10 June is expected to be a critical factor in determining the agency's next move. The interplay between the court proceedings and the CID's timeline has made Tuesday a pivotal moment in the case.
With the INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi and the West Bengal political landscape already charged, the outcome of Tuesday's deadline is being closely watched across the state's political establishment.
Point of View
Not mere scheduling conflicts. Banerjee's team has effectively used each delay — medical grounds, a national political meeting, a High Court petition — to keep the CID at arm's length while building a judicial shield. The Calcutta High Court hearing on 10 June is the real battleground: if the court grants interim protection, the CID's leverage evaporates temporarily; if it does not, Banerjee faces a stark choice between compliance and contempt. What this case also exposes is the friction within West Bengal's law enforcement architecture — a CID operating under a state government led by Mamata Banerjee is pursuing her nephew, raising questions about institutional independence that neither side has addressed directly.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the TMC MLA signature mismatch case?
The case involves allegations that signatures of several Trinamool Congress MLAs were forged on official documents submitted to the West Bengal Assembly. Complaints were filed by some of the legislators themselves, prompting the CID to register a case and begin interrogating key persons of interest, including Abhishek Banerjee.
Why has Abhishek Banerjee not appeared before the CID?
Banerjee missed the first summons on 1 June citing medical issues following an assault at Sonarpur on 30 May. He missed the second deadline on 8 June because he was in New Delhi for the INDIA bloc meeting. He has also petitioned the Calcutta High Court challenging the summons.
What legal protection does Abhishek Banerjee have?
Banerjee has filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court challenging the CID summons and seeking interim protection against coercive police action, including arrest. Justice Chaitali Chatterjee Das admitted the petition and scheduled the first hearing for 10 June, which falls the day after the third CID deadline.
What can the CID do if Banerjee skips the third summons?
Legal experts say that after three consecutive missed summons, the CID is empowered to take coercive action against Banerjee. However, the pending Calcutta High Court hearing on 10 June is expected to be a key factor in determining whether and how the agency proceeds.
Who is Abhishek Banerjee?
Abhishek Banerjee is the general secretary of the Trinamool Congress and a Lok Sabha member. He is also the nephew of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, making him one of the most prominent figures in the TMC's organisational hierarchy.
