3 days ago
Abhishek Banerjee Summoned Over Kolkata Billboard Removal Scuffle
Police gave Abhishek Banerjee a notice about a fight during the removal of a billboard.
The billboard had Trinamool Congress signs and was on top of a party office in Kolkata.
City workers and police removed it because officials called it unauthorised or illegal.
Police say supporters, guards and party leaders tried to stop them.
Three police cases were filed after the incident.
Banerjee was named as an accused in two of them.
Derek O’Brien said reports that guards resisted were fake news.
Fourteen people have been arrested, and investigators are checking video and other evidence.
Reports differ about whether Banerjee was asked to appear on Monday, Tuesday or September 1.
Kolkata Police served TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee a notice over a scuffle during removal of a party billboard.
The billboard was dismantled from the roof of the Trinamool Congress office on Camac Street.
Three FIRs were registered, naming Banerjee in two cases alongside Derek O’Brien and Humayun Kabir.
Police allege supporters and guards obstructed officials, while O’Brien called reports of guard resistance “fake news.”
Fourteen people have been arrested, and police are examining CCTV footage and other evidence.
- Who
- Kolkata Police served a notice on Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee; Derek O’Brien and former MLA Humayun Kabir were also named in the FIRs.
- What
- The notice concerns three FIRs filed after a scuffle and alleged obstruction during the removal of a Trinamool Congress billboard.
- Where
- The incident occurred at the Trinamool Congress office on Camac Street in Central Kolkata; Banerjee received the notice at his residence on Kalighat Road.
- When
- The scuffle occurred on Thursday, and the notice was delivered to Banerjee late Saturday; reports variously cite Monday, Tuesday, September 1 or September 2 for related appearances.
- Why
- Police say officials were obstructed while removing an unauthorised or illegal billboard, with FIR allegations including assaulting on-duty police and attempting to outrage a female officer’s modesty.
Police and Officials’ Account
Trinamool Congress Leaders’ Account
Resistance during billboard removal
Police and Officials’ Account
Police and officials said private guards, supporters and party leaders scuffled with police and Kolkata Municipal Corporation staff and tried to prevent them from entering the building and removing the billboard.
Trinamool Congress Leaders’ Account
Derek O’Brien called reports that private guards resisted “fake news,” saying the guards were posted on duty at the building’s entrance.
Conduct of the police operation
Police and Officials’ Account
Police said officials were obstructed while performing their duties; the FIRs include allegations of assaulting on-duty police and attempting to outrage a female officer’s modesty.
Trinamool Congress Leaders’ Account
O’Brien alleged that police entered the office with an “illegal” notice, assaulted senior leaders and heckled party supporters and office staff.
Billboard’s status
Police and Officials’ Account
Officials described the billboard as illegal or unauthorised and dismantled it.
Trinamool Congress Leaders’ Account
The reported TMC response disputes the legality of the police notice but does not provide a separate explanation about the billboard’s legal status.
Key facts
- Summoned person
- Abhishek Banerjee, Trinamool Congress general secretary and Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha member
- Police station
- Shakespeare Sarani Police Station
- Billboard location
- An iron structure on the top floor or roof of the Trinamool Congress office on Camac Street
- Cases registered
- Three FIRs; Banerjee was named in two
- Other named leaders
- Derek O’Brien and former MLA Humayun Kabir
- Arrests
- Fourteen people
- Investigation
- Police are examining CCTV footage and other evidence
- Date discrepancy
- Reports differ on the appearance date, citing Monday, Tuesday, September 1 or September 2
Quotes
Senior Kolkata Police officer
A senior Kolkata Police officer speaking to PTI about the investigation
“A notice has been served on Abhishek Banerjee in connection with the investigation. He has been asked to appear before the investigating officer on Monday. The investigation is underway, and all aspects of the incident are being examined.”
deccanchronicle.com
telegraphindia.com
theprint.in
Sources
Abhishek Banerjee Served Notice Over Scuffle During Billboard Removal
Billboard removal: TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee gets police notice over scuffle between officials, office guards
TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee gets police notice for scuffle at his office over billboard removal
Bengal: Kolkata Police summons Abhishek Banerjee in billboard row
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