Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee appeared before the Shakespeare Sarani Police Station on Tuesday afternoon in connection with the alleged clash at the party office on Camac Street.
Abhishek appears before Shakespeare Sarani Police
Banerjee reached the police station at around 12:15 pm and entered the premises at 12:17 pm. Before his arrival, a group of TMC workers and supporters gathered outside the police station and raised slogans alleging that a conspiracy was being hatched against the party leader.
The case relates to an incident last Thursday, when Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials went to Abhishek Banerjee’s Camac Street office to remove a billboard carrying the Trinamool Congress’ name. The civic body alleged that the billboard had been installed illegally and was hanging dangerously.
TMC supporters raise slogans outside police station
Tension reportedly escalated when police personnel accompanied the civic officials into the office. Allegations were subsequently raised that Abhishek and his supporters obstructed government officials and that police personnel and municipal employees were assaulted.
Three FIRs have been registered at Shakespeare Sarani Police Station. One complaint was filed by a municipal official, while another was lodged by a Park Street Police Station sergeant. The cases include allegations of obstructing government officials, assault, harassment of women police personnel and an attempt to outrage their modesty.
Three FIRs filed over alleged assault
Notices were subsequently served on Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O’Brien, Baiswanar Chatterjee, former MLA Humayun Kabir and Abhishek’s personal assistant Sumit Roy.
Derek O’Brien, who was summoned on Monday, did not appear. A fresh notice was later served at his residence, directing him to appear on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, TMC leaders and supporters criticised the police action, alleging political targeting. Speaking on the matter, they questioned why similar action was allegedly not taken in other incidents.
TMC alleges political targeting by state government
They referred to the deaths in the Mirza Ghalib Street hotel fire and the Tarapith incident, arguing that stronger security and fire-safety measures could have prevented such tragedies. They also alleged that no fire audit was conducted after around 4,000 EVMs were reportedly burnt.
The TMC supporters further referred to the Satgachia Assembly constituency, alleging that the seat was won by only around 400 votes while EVMs were subsequently burnt, but claimed that no action was taken in the matter.
Arka Nag challenges FIR publication process
On Monday, Abhishek and Derek’s lawyer Arka Nag had also questioned why the FIRs had not been uploaded online. He cited the Supreme Court’s Youth Bar Association of India judgment and argued that the alleged non-publication of FIRs could warrant contempt proceedings against the police.
