Signature forgery case: Cal HC permits Abhishek to file plea seeking protection from coercive action

Business To Business, Kolkata, 3^rd June, 2026:  The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday granted permission to Abhishek Banerjee to file a petition seeking protection from any coercive action by the state's Criminal Investigation Department in connection with its investigation into the alleged forgery of signatures of Trinamool Congress legislators.
Background of the case
The controversy relates to a resolution submitted by the All India Trinamool Congress for appointing Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly.
Two MLAs—Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha—complained to the Assembly Secretariat that their signatures on the resolution had been forged. Following their complaint, the Secretariat lodged a First Information Report (FIR) with the Kolkata Police.
Subsequently, the investigation was transferred to the CID by the state's Home Department.
High Court proceedings
Abhishek Banerjee has moved the High Court seeking protection against any coercive measures, such as arrest or other investigative actions, while the probe is underway. The court's order currently allows him to file and pursue the petition; it does not amount to a ruling on the merits of his request.
Political context
The case has unfolded amid intense political developments within the TMC legislature party. Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, who raised the forgery allegations, were later expelled from the TMC on grounds of "anti-party activities."
The CID investigation is continuing, and any determination regarding the authenticity of the signatures or the involvement of any individual will depend on the findings of the probe and any subsequent judicial proceedings.