TMC billboard row: Former MLA, ex-IPS Humayun Kabir summoned for questioning

Kolkata: Former Trinamool Congress legislator and ex-IPS officer Humayun Kabir has been served a notice to appear for questioning in connection with the FIRs registered over the August 27 clash during the removal of an allegedly illegal billboard from the Camac Street office of Trinamool Congress General Secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee, police sources said on Sunday.

A team from the Shakespeare Sarani Police Station visited Kabir's residence in Kasba, south Kolkata, on Sunday morning and handed him the notice, directing him to appear before investigators at noon on September 9. However, Kabir informed the officers that he would instead present himself for questioning on September 7 at 1.30 p.m.

Sources said police had twice attempted to serve the notice at his residence, but Kabir was unavailable both times. The notice was finally delivered during Sunday's visit.

Speaking to reporters after receiving the notice, Kabir alleged that officials of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), accompanied by police personnel, had attempted to remove the billboard without prior notice or following due procedure. "And now cases have been registered against us," he said.

Last week, Abhishek Banerjee, Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien, and Banerjee's personal assistant Sumit Roy were questioned in the case at the Shakespeare Sarani Police Station. Roy has again been summoned for questioning on September 7.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services Department has directed the Trinamool Congress' "original but minority" faction to vacate its Camac Street office after identifying serious fire-safety deficiencies. The department ordered the evacuation of the building's seventh and eighth floors and informed the property owner accordingly.

Tension flared on August 27 when KMC officials, accompanied by police personnel, arrived to remove the billboard from the Camac Street office. They allegedly faced resistance from Trinamool activists led by Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O'Brien and other party leaders, triggering scuffles between protesters and police.

According to the FIRs registered at Shakespeare Sarani Police Station, Trinamool activists have been accused of assaulting on-duty police personnel and attempting to outrage the modesty of a woman police officer.

In two of the three FIRs, Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O'Brien, Humayun Kabir and Baishwanar Chatterjee have been named as accused. Police have arrested 14 people in connection with the case so far.

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