Fresh notice to Abhishek Banerjee over Camac Street billboard-removal incident

Police on Sunday visited Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee’s Kalighat residence to serve him a fresh notice, asking him to appear at Shakespeare Sarani police station on Monday for questioning in connection with one of the three FIRs registered over the Camac Street billboard-removal incident.

Police sources said a team went to Abhishek’s residence after he returned to Calcutta from Delhi. The notice was received by his brother, Akash Banerjee, sources said.

Last week, the police attempted to serve the notice at the residence but returned without handing it over since Abhishek was not at home, sources said.

The case relates to the August 27 confrontation at the Trinamool Congress office at 9, Camac Street, when a team of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) officials, accompanied by police personnel, went to dismantle a large billboard bearing the party’s name and signage on the rooftop of the building.

The civic body described the billboard as unauthorised.

The operation triggered a scuffle involving police personnel, civic officials, Abhishek’s private security guards, party supporters and Trinamool leaders.

KMC workers eventually dismantled the billboard after police entered the premises.

The confrontation led to three FIRs being registered at Shakespeare Sarani police station on August 28. The complaints included allegations of obstructing public servants from discharging their duties, threats and assault.

A KMC advertisement department official filed one complaint, another followed a civic body requisition, and the third was filed by a police sergeant.

Abhishek was named in two of the cases, alongside senior Trinamool leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien and former MLA Humayun Kabir. The police have also alleged misconduct involving a woman officer.

Abhishek appeared at Shakespeare Sarani police station on September 1 and was questioned for around six hours in connection with the incident.

The Trinamool leadership questioned the manner in which the billboard was removed, with Abhishek alleging that officials acted arbitrarily and challenging the validity of the notice authorising the operation.

Monday’s appearance is expected to be part of the continuing investigation into the confrontation and the allegations recorded in the FIRs.