Kirti Azad appears before Bengal CID in extortion case, shielded by HC order
Synopsis
Former 1983 World Cup cricketer and TMC MP Kirti Azad walked into West Bengal CID headquarters on 22 September shielded by a Calcutta High Court order barring his arrest for six months — a rare judicial safeguard that frames one of Bengal's more politically charged extortion inquiries.
Key Takeaways
Kirti Azad , TMC MP from Bardhaman-Durgapur , appeared before West Bengal CID at Bhabani Bhavan, Kolkata, on 22 September 2026 .
He holds interim protection from arrest granted by the Calcutta High Court on 15 September , valid for six months .
The extortion case alleges a demand of ₹15 lakh from a businessman at Azad's Durgapur bungalow on 21 May last year, reportedly backed by an audio recording.
Azad has denied the allegations and submitted flight travel records to show he was not in Durgapur on the alleged date.
He has also filed a separate petition in the Calcutta High Court seeking quashing of the FIR .
Trinamool Congress (TMC) Lok Sabha MP and former cricketer Kirti Azad appeared before the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at its headquarters in Bhabani Bhavan, south Kolkata, on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, for questioning in connection with an extortion case registered against him. The MP arrived carrying interim protection from coercive action — including arrest — granted by the Calcutta High Court on 15 September.
Court Protection and Conditions
The interim relief was granted by Justice Kaushik Chanda of the Calcutta High Court, who simultaneously directed Azad to cooperate fully with investigators. The protection from arrest is valid for six months. The court had also mandated that the CID serve a notice at least seven days in advance before summoning Azad for interrogation — a condition that was complied with before his Tuesday appearance.
Azad has separately moved the Calcutta High Court seeking quashing of the FIR itself, adding a second legal front to his challenge against the case.
What the Extortion Case Alleges
The case stems from a complaint by a local businessman who alleged that on 21 May last year, he was summoned to Azad's bungalow in Durgapur, where an associate of the MP allegedly demanded ₹15 lakh. The complainant further alleged that he was threatened with the closure of his cooking gas business if the payment was not made, and claimed to possess an audio recording of the incident. Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered against Azad and several of his associates.
Azad's Defence
The TMC leader, who represents the Bardhaman-Durgapur constituency and is a member of India's iconic 1983 Cricket World Cup-winning team, has categorically denied the allegations. He has described the case as a conspiracy aimed at tarnishing his image. Crucially, Azad has submitted flight travel records before the court to support his claim that he was not in Durgapur on the day the alleged incident took place.
Background and Political Context
Azad began his political career with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), representing Darbhanga in Bihar, before switching to the TMC ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, from which he won the Bardhaman-Durgapur seat. The extortion case, filed in a constituency where political rivalries run deep, has drawn attention to the intersection of cricket celebrity, political identity, and law enforcement in West Bengal. Notably, the case comes amid a broader pattern of politically sensitive CID probes in the state that have frequently ended up before the Calcutta High Court on jurisdiction or process grounds.
What Happens Next
With Azad's petition to quash the FIR pending before the Calcutta High Court, the CID's investigation will likely proceed under continued judicial oversight. The outcome of the quashing petition and any further forensic examination of the alleged audio recording are expected to shape the trajectory of the case in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
The FIR looks thin. Azad's alibi — flight records placing him elsewhere on the day — is the kind of documentary evidence that either ends cases or deepens them, depending on what the records actually show. The broader question is whether the CID probe will survive the High Court's scrutiny of the FIR quashing petition, which may well prove more consequential than the interrogation itself.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Kirti Azad summoned by the West Bengal CID?
Kirti Azad was summoned for questioning in connection with an extortion case in which a businessman alleged that an associate of the MP demanded ₹15 lakh at Azad's Durgapur bungalow on 21 May last year, threatening to shut down his cooking gas business. An FIR was registered against Azad and several associates based on the complaint.
What protection does Kirti Azad have from the Calcutta High Court?
Justice Kaushik Chanda of the Calcutta High Court granted Azad interim protection from coercive action, including arrest, on 15 September. The relief is valid for six months, and the court also directed that the CID serve him notice at least seven days before any summons.
What is Kirti Azad's defence in the extortion case?
Azad has denied all allegations, calling the case a conspiracy to damage his reputation. He has submitted flight travel records before the court to demonstrate that he was not present in Durgapur on the day the alleged extortion took place.
Has Kirti Azad taken any separate legal action in the case?
Yes. Apart from securing interim protection, Azad has moved the Calcutta High Court with a petition seeking the quashing of the FIR itself. That petition remains pending and could determine whether the investigation continues.
