Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Derek O’Brien Skips Kolkata Police Questioning, Receives Fresh Summons
Police wanted Derek O’Brien to answer questions about an unauthorised billboard.
The billboard was reportedly outside Abhishek Banerjee’s office in Kolkata.
O’Brien did not go to the police station on Monday.
Instead, he emailed the police asking for more time.
Police later gave him a new notice to appear on September 2.
Abhishek Banerjee was also asked to answer questions in the same case.
His lawyer said the case report could not be found online.
Fire officials also checked the office and found some fire-safety differences.
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien did not appear at Shakespeare Sarani police station on Monday.
He requested more time by email in the case involving an allegedly unauthorised billboard.
Police served O’Brien a fresh summons directing him to appear on September 2.
Abhishek Banerjee’s lawyer said the related FIR could not be found on the city police website.
A fire audit at Banerjee’s Camac Street office found deviations in some safety areas.
- Who
- Trinamool Congress MPs Derek O’Brien and Abhishek Banerjee, Kolkata police, and fire-services officials.
- What
- O’Brien skipped police questioning and received a fresh summons in a billboard obstruction case; Banerjee’s office also underwent a fire audit.
- When
- O’Brien missed his Monday appearance; the fresh summons requires him to appear at noon on September 2, while Banerjee was summoned for Tuesday.
- Where
- Shakespeare Sarani police station and Banerjee’s office on Camac Street in Kolkata; the fresh summons was served at O’Brien’s residence on Prince Anwar Shah Road.
- Why
- The questioning concerns allegations that officials were obstructed while removing an unauthorised billboard.
Police and Official Action
Responses from the Politicians’ Side
Questioning summons
Police and Official Action
Police summoned Derek O’Brien and Abhishek Banerjee for questioning in the billboard obstruction case.
Responses from the Politicians’ Side
O’Brien sought more time, while it remained unclear whether Banerjee would appear.
Access to the FIR
Police and Official Action
Police proceeded with summonses in the case.
Responses from the Politicians’ Side
Banerjee’s lawyer said the FIR could not be located on the city police website.
- O’Brien’s scheduled appearance
- Around noon on Monday at Shakespeare Sarani police station
- O’Brien’s response
- He skipped the appearance and requested a fresh date by email
- Fresh summons
- He was directed to appear at noon on September 2
- Related person summoned
- Abhishek Banerjee was summoned for questioning on Tuesday
- FIR issue
- Banerjee’s lawyer said the FIR was unavailable on the city police website
- Fire audit
- Officials inspected every floor and checked alarms, a water pump, and sprinklers
- Audit finding
- Some deviations were found in fire-safety arrangements