TMC Veteran Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay Questioned by CID in Signature Forgery Probe

The West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Saturday questioned veteran Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and MLA Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay in connection with an alleged signature forgery case related to the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the state Assembly.

Mr. Chattopadhyay was the party's original choice for the LoP post, but a majority of TMC MLAs later sided with rebel legislator Ritabrata Banerjee, leading to a split. The CID registered a First Information Report (FIR) after MLAs Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha complained to the Assembly Speaker that their signatures were forged on a letter nominating Mr. Chattopadhyay as the LoP.

CID officials arrived at Mr. Chattopadhyay's residence in Bhabanipur on Saturday morning and questioned him. Speaking to mediapersons, Mr. Chattopadhyay said, “I have cooperated 200%. You can ask the officials if I have... And I will continue to cooperate in the future.” He declined to comment on the investigation, citing that the matter is sub judice.

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Sukanta Majumdar expressed sympathy for Mr. Chattopadhyay, stating, “We also feel bad. Sobhan Babu is a very senior leader who is respected in the Bengal political circles. His association with the wrong people have brought this day upon him.”

Mr. Chattopadhyay, however, alleged that the complainant MLAs themselves were responsible for the forged signatures. He claimed that almost all TMC MLAs, except one, were present when the resolution finalising his nomination for the LoP post was passed. Based on that resolution, TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee sent a letter to the Speaker nominating Mr. Chattopadhyay.

Abhishek Banerjee has also been questioned by the CID in connection with the case. Officials have searched the premises of party chairperson Mamata Banerjee's Kalighat residence, which also serves as a TMC office. Other TMC MLAs, including Nayana Bandhopadhyay and Firhad Hakim, have also been questioned.

The controversy has sparked a major rift within the TMC, leading to the expulsion of MLAs Saha and Ritabrata Banerjee. The expelled MLAs claim that at least 58 TMC MLAs have joined their faction, which they call the 'original' Trinamool Congress. Rebel leaders later selected Ritabrata Banerjee as the LoP.