1 day ago
Abhishek Banerjee Appears Before Police in Camac Street Clash Case
Abhishek Banerjee went to a Kolkata police station on Tuesday.
Police had summoned him about a disagreement at his office.
The disagreement began when city workers and police tried to remove a large billboard.
Officials said the billboard was unauthorised, and a scuffle happened during the operation.
Three police cases were filed about the incident.
Banerjee and some other TMC leaders were named in the cases.
TMC leader Derek O’Brien gave a different version of what happened.
He said the police notice was illegal and accused officers of mistreating party leaders and staff.
TMC supporters gathered outside the station and shouted slogans.
TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee appeared at Kolkata’s Shakespeare Sarani police station on Tuesday after receiving a summons.
The case concerns a scuffle during an operation to remove a billboard bearing Trinamool Congress signage from his Camac Street office.
Police and civic officials described the billboard as unauthorised, with one account also saying it was hanging dangerously.
Three FIRs were registered, and Banerjee was named as an accused in two cases, officials said.
TMC leaders disputed the police account, while supporters gathered outside the station and raised slogans for Banerjee.
- Who
- TMC MP and party leader Abhishek Banerjee, Kolkata Police, Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials, TMC supporters, private guards and other party leaders.
- What
- Banerjee appeared before police in connection with a scuffle during the attempted removal of a billboard from his Camac Street office.
- Where
- Banerjee appeared at Shakespeare Sarani police station in Kolkata; the disputed operation took place at his Camac Street office.
- When
- Banerjee appeared on Tuesday; the incident was described as occurring last Thursday, while another account identified it as August 27.
- Why
- He was summoned as part of the investigation into allegations including obstruction and assault during the billboard-removal operation.
Police and Civic Officials’ Account
TMC Leaders’ Account
Reason for the operation
Police and Civic Officials’ Account
Kolkata Police and Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials went to remove a billboard they described as unauthorised and, according to one account, dangerously installed.
TMC Leaders’ Account
TMC leader Derek O’Brien called the police notice illegal and disputed the official account of the operation.
Resistance during entry
Police and Civic Officials’ Account
Police said private guards, TMC supporters and party leaders scuffled with officials and obstructed their attempt to enter and dismantle the billboard.
TMC Leaders’ Account
O’Brien called reports that private guards resisted the officials “fake news”, saying the guards were stationed at the building entrance.
Conduct during the operation
Police and Civic Officials’ Account
According to the police account, officials entered the premises and eventually dismantled the billboard.
TMC Leaders’ Account
O’Brien alleged that police barged into the office, assaulted senior leaders, and heckled supporters and office staff.
Police procedure
Police and Civic Officials’ Account
Police registered three FIRs and issued notices to people connected with the incident.
TMC Leaders’ Account
Banerjee’s lawyer Arka Nag questioned the police action, saying the FIRs had not been uploaded online and that counter-notices were issued.
Key facts
- Police appearance
- Banerjee arrived at Shakespeare Sarani police station at about 12:15-12:17 pm on Tuesday.
- Billboard dispute
- Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials sought to remove a billboard bearing Trinamool Congress signage.
- Officials’ claim
- Authorities described the billboard as unauthorised; one account said it was also hanging dangerously.
- Cases registered
- Three FIRs were registered at Shakespeare Sarani police station.
- Allegations
- The cases include alleged obstruction of officials, assault, unlawful assembly, and harassment and attempted molestation of women police personnel.
- Accused and summoned leaders
- Banerjee was named as an accused in two cases; Derek O’Brien, Humayun Kabir, Baishwanar Chatterjee and Sumit Roy were also mentioned in connection with police notices or the FIRs.
- Supporters’ response
- TMC supporters gathered outside the station and raised slogans including “Joy Bangla” and “Abhishek Banerjee Zindabad”.
Quotes
Trinamool Congress supporters
Party workers gathered outside the police station.
“Abhishek Banerjee Zindabad”
indianexpress.com
“Joy Bangla”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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