kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata, October 12: Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee has once again skipped a scheduled appearance before the police in connection with the controversy surrounding the removal of a billboard from his Camac Street office in Kolkata. The Diamond Harbour MP had been summoned to Shakespeare Sarani Police Station at 10 am on Monday following allegations that municipal workers and police personnel were obstructed and allegedly assaulted while carrying out the removal operation. However, Abhishek did not appear at the police station within the stipulated time. According to reports, he emailed the police seeking an additional 48 hours to respond to the summons. Subsequently, a police team from Shakespeare Sarani Police Station visited his residence again and reportedly served him with a fresh notice directing him to appear on Wednesday.

The latest development has brought renewed attention to the dispute over the billboard installed at Abhishek Banerjee’s Camac Street office. The controversy began when Kolkata Municipal Corporation personnel arrived to remove the structure, which the civic body described as illegal. The operation reportedly triggered a confrontation involving security personnel at the office, police officers and municipal workers. Allegations emerged that officials were prevented from carrying out their duties and that some police personnel and civic workers were subjected to physical assault during the incident.

Following the allegations, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation lodged complaints against Abhishek Banerjee and several other Trinamool Congress leaders. Three cases were reportedly registered against the Diamond Harbour MP in connection with the incident. Police subsequently began investigating the allegations and issued summonses to Abhishek as part of the inquiry.

This is not the first time Abhishek has been questioned in connection with the controversy. He had previously undergone approximately five hours of questioning in another case filed by the municipal corporation. The latest summons was issued in connection with another FIR lodged by the civic body. Police had directed him to appear at Shakespeare Sarani Police Station on Monday morning, but instead of attending in person, he reportedly requested additional time through an email.

The police visit to his residence following his failure to appear has now added another development to the ongoing investigation. A fresh notice reportedly directs the Trinamool Congress MP to appear before the police on Wednesday. It remains to be seen whether Abhishek will comply with the latest summons or seek further time.

The incident that triggered the investigation took place on August 27, when tensions escalated during an operation to remove a billboard from Abhishek Banerjee’s office on Camac Street. According to allegations, police personnel faced resistance when they attempted to enter the premises, leading to a scuffle with security guards stationed at the office. Complaints alleged that some police officers were assaulted and that personnel were grabbed by the collar during the confrontation.

The altercation reportedly intensified, with several police personnel falling on the staircase amid the scuffle. Municipal workers who had arrived to remove the billboard were also allegedly prevented from carrying out the operation and faced physical resistance. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation maintained that the billboard had been installed illegally and that its removal was part of the civic body's enforcement action.

Despite the resistance, municipal personnel eventually removed the billboard from the premises. Police also detained several people in connection with the alleged obstruction of officials performing their duties. Following the incident, the civic body lodged complaints at the police station against Abhishek and several other Trinamool Congress leaders, alleging that they had obstructed municipal workers and police personnel.

The allegations are now being examined as part of the police investigation. The summons issued to Abhishek forms part of the process of gathering information in connection with the cases registered following the confrontation. His decision to seek additional time rather than appear on Monday has made his next response a key point of interest in the case.

The controversy has also drawn attention because it involves a prominent ruling party MP and a dispute with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation over the removal of a structure described by the civic body as unauthorised. While the allegations of obstruction and assault remain matters for investigation, the police are continuing their efforts to record statements and establish the sequence of events surrounding the August 27 confrontation.

With a fresh notice reportedly directing Abhishek Banerjee to appear on Wednesday, attention is now focused on whether the Diamond Harbour MP will attend the police station as instructed. His response could determine the next stage of the investigation into the Camac Street billboard controversy.