TMC MLAs signature mismatch row: CID launches SIT probe, Abhishek Banerjee likely to face grilling today in alleged forgery case

The row over the alleged mismatch of Trinamool Congress MLAs’ signatures in the West Bengal Assembly intensified on Monday, with the CID constituting a four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to carry forward the probe into the suspected forgery case.

According to officials, the newly constituted SIT will function under the supervision of a DIG-rank officer and includes one DSP-rank officer along with two Inspectors. The team has been tasked with examining the alleged discrepancies found in signatures submitted as part of a resolution concerning appointments in the Assembly.

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CID summons Abhishek Banerjee

The development comes as Trinamool Congress National General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee is expected to appear before CID officials for questioning in connection with the controversy linked to nominations for key Assembly positions, including the Leader of the Opposition.

The CID had issued a notice to Abhishek Banerjee on May 30. Investigators initially reached his Harish Mukherjee Road residence to serve the notice before later locating him at his Kalighat residence, where the notice was formally handed over.

Abhishek Banerjee later said he would cooperate with investigators while taking legal advice regarding the matter.

Dispute over Assembly nominations

The controversy erupted over a resolution linked to the nomination of senior Trinamool Congress leaders to important positions in the Assembly.

Before the resolution was submitted, Abhishek Banerjee, in his capacity as the party’s general secretary, had reportedly written to the Assembly Secretariat nominating Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as Leader of Opposition, Nayna Bandyopadhyay and Asima Patra as deputy leaders, and Firhad Hakim as Chief Whip.

However, Speaker Rathindra Bose reportedly insisted that the proposal be backed by signatures of party MLAs through a formal resolution process.

During scrutiny of the submitted documents, alleged discrepancies in several signatures surfaced, triggering suspicion over possible forgery and prompting the matter to be referred to the CID for investigation.

CID expands investigation

With the formation of the SIT, the investigation has now entered a more serious phase as officials attempt to determine whether signatures were forged, altered or submitted without authorisation.

Sources indicated that investigators are expected to question multiple legislators and examine Assembly records, submitted resolutions and related communication as part of the ongoing probe.

The case has sparked fresh political tensions in West Bengal, with the developments placing the spotlight firmly on the functioning of the Trinamool Congress legislative wing and the process followed during the nomination exercise.