A team from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal Police recently visited the residence of Trinamool Congress MLA and former Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim. This visit was part of the investigation into the forged signatures incident at the state Assembly. Hakim is expected to be questioned regarding the signature issue.
In a related development, handwriting samples were taken from three more Trinamool MLAs at a court hearing. The MLAs involved were Baharul Islam from Canning Purba, Arup Roy from Howrah Central, and Subhasish Das from Maheshtala. The CID had sought permission from the court to collect these samples, which was granted by the City Sessions Court.
The CID’s investigation stems from a letter sent to the Assembly Speaker by the Trinamool parliamentary party, proposing Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of the Opposition. Alleged discrepancies in the letter have prompted the CID’s involvement. Firhad Hakim, as a Trinamool MLA, also signed the letter, raising questions about the authenticity of the signatures.
The CID’s scrutiny has extended to other Trinamool MLAs, including Nayna Bandyopadhyay from Chowrangee and Kunal Ghosh from Beleghata, whose residences were searched. Additionally, the CID visited the home of Trinamool general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, who has been summoned for questioning. Abhishek has sought legal protection to avoid potential arrest, with a court hearing scheduled at the Calcutta High Court.
Amidst internal divisions within Trinamool, 58 MLAs wrote to the Speaker proposing Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of the Opposition. This move highlighted internal rifts within the party. While these rebel MLAs acknowledge Mamata Banerjee as the President, they oppose Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of the Opposition. The CID’s active investigation into the signature case adds to the uncertainty surrounding Trinamool’s future.
