September 17, 2026 09:53 pm (IST)
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'Fake signature' probe: CID forms SIT; Abhishek Banerjee skips Bhavani Bhavan summon, seeks more time
Kolkata/IBNS: The West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged discrepancies in the signatures of Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislators, while party national general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee on Monday skipped a summon and he has sought more time to appear before investigators, citing health issues following the recent assault in South 24 Parganas.
Banerjee was scheduled to appear before CID officers at the agency’s headquarters in Bhavani Bhavan at 12 pm on Monday after receiving a summon in connection with the ongoing investigation.
However, sources within the Trinamool Congress said he has formally communicated his inability to attend and requested more time to cooperate with the probe.
Abhishek Banerjee cites health concerns
According to party sources, Banerjee continues to experience physical discomfort following an incident on May 30 in Sonarpur, where he faced a massive public protest and was allegedly assaulted while travelling to meet the family of a party worker.
A TMC leader claimed that Banerjee is suffering from jaw pain and general body soreness and is currently undergoing medical examinations.
He added that several tests remain pending, prompting his request for an extension before appearing before investigators.
Abhishek Banerjee was rushed to two Kolkata private hospitals, but both hospitals denied admission to the TMC MP, citing that he has no "serious injuries".
Summons linked to Assembly nomination documents
The CID had issued the notice shortly after launching its inquiry into alleged signature irregularities linked to documents submitted in the West Bengal Assembly.
The investigation centres on alleged mismatches in signatures appearing on documents related to nominations for key opposition positions in the West Bengal Assembly.
As Trinamool Congress general secretary, Banerjee had reportedly communicated the party's nominations for several legislative posts, including Leader of the Opposition, deputy leaders and the Chief Whip.
However, Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose is said to have insisted on a formal resolution carrying the signatures of party legislators.
Questions subsequently emerged over the authenticity of some of those signatures, leading to the matter being referred to the CID for further examination.
CID constitutes SIT
Amid mounting controversy, the CID has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a detailed inquiry into the allegations.
Sources indicated that the SIT is headed by an officer of Deputy Inspector General rank and includes a Deputy Superintendent of Police along with two inspectors.
The team has reportedly begun recording statements from legislators whose signatures appear on the disputed documents.
Investigators are examining whether the signatures were genuinely made by the lawmakers concerned or whether any unauthorised use of their names occurred during the preparation and submission of the paperwork.
Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari claimed on Monday that three TMC MLAs had accepted that their signatures were forged.
Legislators’ statements under examination
According to reports, several MLAs have already been contacted by investigators as part of the probe.
The CID has sought specimen signatures and related documents to compare with the disputed records.
Handwriting experts are assisting the investigation by analysing the signatures against official documents and historical records submitted by the legislators.
The SIT is likely to examine the entire sequence of events surrounding the preparation, handling and submission of the nomination-related documents to determine whether established procedures were followed.
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# signature mismatch case
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# West Bengal Assembly controversy
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# Abhishek Banerjee latest news
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