Kolkata, June 5: The CID team of West Bengal police intensified its investigation into the alleged signature forgery case by visiting the residence of Firhad Hakim, a Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA and former mayor of Kolkata, on Thursday. The agency is expected to question him regarding the matter.
On the same day, the CID collected handwriting samples from three other TMC legislators—Baharul Islam, Arup Roy, and Subhasish Das—after obtaining permission from the court. The legislators appeared in person to provide their samples.
This case pertains to a letter sent to the Assembly Speaker by the TMC legislative party, proposing the appointment of Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as the leader of the opposition. Allegations have surfaced regarding irregularities in the signatures on this letter, prompting the state government to assign the investigation to the CID.
Since Firhad Hakim also signed the letter, investigators are keen to ascertain the circumstances under which he signed it and when.
Previously, the CID team had visited the residences of other TMC leaders and legislators, including Nayana Bandyopadhyay and Kunal Ghosh, for questioning. Their statements were recorded on video.
The investigation agency also visited the residence of TMC’s national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, who had also signed the relevant letter as the all-India general secretary. The CID has summoned him for questioning at Bhawanipur. Citing the possibility of arrest, Abhishek Banerjee has sought protection from the court. A hearing on this matter is scheduled at the Calcutta High Court on Friday.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, 58 TMC legislators wrote to the Assembly Speaker proposing the expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee as the new leader of the opposition. This has revealed internal divisions within the party. While these legislators have acknowledged Mamata Banerjee as the party president, they seem opposed to recognizing Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as the leader of the opposition.
Amid growing speculation about the party’s future, the CID is conducting a thorough investigation into the signature forgery case.
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