Bengal MLA signature case: CID likely to summon Abhishek Banerjee for 3rd time
Synopsis
West Bengal's CID has identified statement inconsistencies between TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and legislator Kunal Ghosh — and is now set to summon Banerjee for a third round of questioning. With over 14 hours of interrogation already logged and a Calcutta High Court order forcing his earlier compliance, this probe is escalating fast into one of Bengal's most politically charged investigations.
Key Takeaways
CID of West Bengal Police is likely to issue a third summons to Abhishek Banerjee , reportedly later this week.
Banerjee has already been questioned for over 14 hours — six hours on 11 June and eight and a half hours on 14 June .
Kunal Ghosh , TMC legislator and journalist-turned-politician, was also questioned on Sunday in the same case.
CID officials noted crucial inconsistencies between statements given by Banerjee and Ghosh, triggering the fresh summons.
The case involves a signature mismatch on a resolution about opposition-bench appointments in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly .
Banerjee had evaded three consecutive summonses before the Calcutta High Court ordered his appearance.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the West Bengal Police is likely to summon Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary and Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee for a third round of questioning in the West Bengal MLA signature mismatch case, sources said on 15 June. Banerjee has already faced over 14 hours of interrogation across two sessions, making this a deepening probe into one of the most politically sensitive cases in the state.
Two Rounds of Questioning So Far
Abhishek Banerjee, also the nephew of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was first questioned for approximately six hours on 11 June and then again for eight and a half hours on 14 June. His initial appearance before the CID came only after a single-judge vacation bench of the Calcutta High Court set a firm deadline for him to comply — he had previously evaded three consecutive summonses from the agency.
Kunal Ghosh Also Questioned
On Sunday, CID officials also questioned Trinamool Congress legislator and journalist-turned-politician Kunal Ghosh in connection with the same case. According to sources, both Banerjee and Ghosh were initially questioned separately before being made to sit face-to-face for a joint session. Ghosh's duration of questioning was notably shorter than Banerjee's.
Key Inconsistencies Trigger Fresh Summons
State police insiders said CID officials identified crucial inconsistencies between the statements given by Banerjee and Ghosh during their respective interrogations. It is these contradictions that have prompted investigators to call Banerjee back — reportedly later this week — for further clarification. Neither Banerjee nor Ghosh has made any public statement about the course of the interrogation.
What the Case Is About
The case centres on a mismatch in the signatures of certain TMC legislators on a key resolution concerning the appointment of opposition-bench slots in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. The matter has significant constitutional implications, as it pertains to the formal composition of the opposition in the state House. This is the latest flashpoint in an ongoing tussle between the ruling TMC and constitutional oversight bodies in the state.
What Happens Next
The third summons, if issued, is expected later this week. Legal observers note that repeated questioning of a sitting Lok Sabha member by a state police agency is unusual and could invite fresh legal challenges. The Calcutta High Court's earlier intervention will likely shape how any future compliance is enforced.
Point of View
Typically deployed when agencies sense a coordinated narrative. What is striking is that a sitting Lok Sabha member required a High Court order to comply with three prior summonses — a posture that itself becomes part of the political story. If inconsistencies in statements harden into formal charges, the case could test how far a state police agency can pursue a figure who is simultaneously a national-level party leader and a family member of the state's most powerful political dynasty.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the West Bengal MLA signature mismatch case?
The case involves alleged discrepancies in the signatures of certain Trinamool Congress legislators on a resolution related to the appointment of opposition-bench slots in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. The CID of West Bengal Police is investigating the matter, which has significant constitutional implications for the composition of the state House.
How many times has Abhishek Banerjee been questioned by the CID so far?
Abhishek Banerjee has been questioned twice — for around six hours on 11 June and for eight and a half hours on 14 June — totalling over 14 hours of interrogation. The CID is now likely to summon him for a third session, reportedly later this week.
Why did Abhishek Banerjee appear before the CID only after a court order?
Banerjee had evaded three consecutive summonses from the CID before a single-judge vacation bench of the Calcutta High Court set a deadline compelling him to appear. He first presented himself at the CID headquarters in South Kolkata on 11 June following that court directive.
Who is Kunal Ghosh and why was he questioned?
Kunal Ghosh is a Trinamool Congress legislator and former journalist who was questioned by the CID on Sunday in connection with the same signature mismatch case. He and Abhishek Banerjee were questioned separately and then jointly in a face-to-face session, during which investigators reportedly noted inconsistencies in their statements.
What happens next in the Bengal MLA signature case?
The CID is expected to issue a third summons to Abhishek Banerjee later this week to seek clarification on the inconsistencies identified in his and Kunal Ghosh's statements. Any fresh summons could also face legal challenges given the Calcutta High Court's prior involvement in the matter.
