CID Team Reaches Mamata Banerjee’s Kolkata Residence Amid Signature Forgery Probe

A team from the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Tuesday reached the Kolkata residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, marking the latest development in the ongoing investigation into an alleged signature forgery case involving party legislators.

The visit comes at a time when Mamata Banerjee is in New Delhi after attending a meeting of the INDIA bloc. While officials have not publicly disclosed the purpose of the visit, it is closely linked to a widening probe into allegations that signatures of several TMC MLAs were forged on a party resolution document submitted to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.

What Is the Alleged Signature Forgery Case?

The controversy centres on a meeting of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) legislative party allegedly held on May 6. According to party records, a resolution regarding the appointment of party office-bearers was adopted during the meeting.

On May 20, TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee submitted a copy of the meeting resolution book and an attendance sheet to the Assembly Secretariat. The documents reportedly stated that 70 MLAs had attended the meeting.

However, questions were later raised about the authenticity of several signatures appearing on the records.

Why Did the Assembly Secretariat Seek Documents?

The matter began attracting official scrutiny after Abhishek Banerjee informed the Assembly Speaker on May 9 that the party had taken decisions regarding office-bearer appointments during the May 6 meeting.

Subsequently, on May 18, the Principal Secretary of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly wrote to Abhishek Banerjee seeking the meeting minutes, resolution documents and signatures of legislators who were present during the decision-making process.

The documents submitted in response later became the subject of controversy.

What Allegations Have Been Made by TMC Legislators?

The investigation gained momentum after two TMC MLAs approached the Assembly Speaker on May 27.

The legislators alleged that no resolution concerning the selection of the Leader of Opposition had been adopted on May 6. They further claimed that they had signed the meeting resolution book only on May 19 and not on the date mentioned in the records.

The complainants alleged that the resolution dated May 6 was "manufactured and fabricated" and pointed to the presence of 14 signatures written in block letters as a matter of concern.

Following the complaint, the Trinamool Congress suspended the two MLAs — Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha — citing anti-party activities.

What Has the CID Investigation Found So Far?

Based on a complaint filed by the Principal Secretary of the Assembly, Hare Street Police Station registered a case on May 27 under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) dealing with cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy.

The CID took over the investigation a day later, on May 28, and subsequently formed a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a Deputy Inspector General (DIG)-rank officer.

As part of the probe, investigators have recorded statements from 13 TMC MLAs.

According to officials, three legislators told investigators that the signatures appearing against their names in the Meeting Resolution Book dated May 6 were not made by them. Investigators also noted that the MLA from Canning Purba stated he had not attended the Kolkata meeting in question.

Why Has Abhishek Banerjee Been Asked to Cooperate?

Last week, CID officials visited the residence of Abhishek Banerjee in connection with the case.

The agency has asked him to produce the original meeting resolution book and related records for examination. According to TMC sources, Abhishek Banerjee has responded to the CID by sending a formal communication through his legal counsel.

Investigators are expected to examine the original documents to determine whether any signatures were forged or whether records were altered after the meeting.

What Does the Visit to Mamata Banerjee’s Residence Signify?

The CID team's arrival at Mamata Banerjee's residence suggests that investigators are continuing to gather evidence and documentation connected to the alleged forgery case.

While no official statement has linked the visit directly to any fresh findings, it underscores the seriousness of an investigation that has already led to the formation of a dedicated SIT, the questioning of senior party leaders and allegations from within the ruling party itself.

As the probe progresses, investigators will seek to establish whether the disputed signatures were genuine, when the documents were prepared and whether any criminal conspiracy was involved in the submission of the records to the Assembly.

(With inputs from ANI)