West Bengal's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched a formal investigation into a complaint filed by social activist Rajiv Sarkar, who has alleged a threat to his life from All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) General Secretary and Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee. The complaint was lodged at the Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police Station in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal on 24 July.

Background: The Hate Speech Case

Sarkar is the original complainant in a hate speech case against Abhishek Banerjee, who stands accused of making violence-inciting statements at a campaign rally ahead of the recently concluded Assembly elections. The Diamond Harbour MP allegedly made threatening remarks directed at Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the rally. Banerjee has already been questioned twice by CID investigators and was required to submit voice samples before the Bidhannagar Court in North 24 Parganas.

What Sarkar Alleged

In his fresh complaint, Sarkar expressed fear of being murdered or falsely implicated as a consequence of having filed the original hate speech complaint. He cited a press conference held by Banerjee following the demolition of the TMC party office in Amtala at Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas, claiming Banerjee allegedly spoke in a threatening tone at the event. 'I became his target for filing the first complaint regarding the hate speech. I fear that now he will either frame me in a false case or get me killed,' Sarkar said.

Madan Mitra's Facebook Live Cited as Evidence

Sarkar has also invoked a Facebook Live video by recently-turned rebel TMC legislator Madan Mitra, in which Mitra reportedly made explosive allegations against Banerjee. According to Sarkar, Mitra claimed in the video that he had spent 27 months in jail because of Banerjee's alleged tendency to commit heinous crimes. 'Mitra's statements prove how justified my apprehensions are,' Sarkar said. Banerjee has since served a ₹10 crore defamation notice on Mitra over the allegations aired on social media.

The Broader Political Context

The complaint adds another layer of legal and political turbulence around Abhishek Banerjee, who has been under CID scrutiny in the original hate speech matter. Notably, the defamation notice against Mitra signals an escalating internal conflict within the TMC, with a sitting legislator publicly levelling serious accusations against the party's second-most powerful figure. This comes amid wider scrutiny of the party's internal dynamics following the Assembly poll cycle. The CID's decision to take up Sarkar's fresh complaint suggests investigators are treating the threat allegation as credible enough to warrant formal inquiry.

What Happens Next

The CID probe into the life-threat complaint is now underway. Sarkar's original hate speech case against Banerjee also remains active, with voice sample proceedings already concluded at Bidhannagar Court. Legal observers note that a parallel threat complaint could complicate Banerjee's position if the two cases are heard in proximity. Whether the CID will summon Banerjee again in connection with this new complaint remains to be seen.