Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, June 12: The police have registered a fresh FIR against the former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee based on a complaint lodged earlier by a Kolkata resident for allegedly promoting communal disharmony and create “fear, misunderstanding and tension” among the people through some of her pre-election speeches.
The FIR against her was registered on Friday on her political speech in March 2026. Mamata had warned that if a particular community come together, it can have dire consequences for others. Quoting her public speeches, a complaint was filed at Hare Street Police Station by a Kolkata resident, which has now been treated as FIR by Kolkata Police.
The Kolkata resident Tushar Kanti Das, in his complaint on May 20 had alleged that her rally speech could promote communal disharmony and public unrest. The complaint sought legal action against Mamata Banerjee over alleged inflammatory and communal remarks made during a political event just ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election campaign in Kolkata.
As per the complaint, the statements made by Mamata Banerjee during a public meeting was capable of creating fear, misunderstanding, and tension among different communities in the state of West Bengal. He claimed that while cautioning voters against what she described as the BJP’s “misleading publicity,” Mamata made these remarks suggesting that a particular community could face adverse consequences if voting patterns changed. He also alleged that the statement was vague in its reference and could be interpreted as creating apprehension and insecurity among citizens. The compliant was on Friday converted into an FIR by the Kolkata police.
In May this year, another FIR was lodged against Mamata Banerjee for hurting religious sentiments based on a complaint by a lawyer. The complaint was filed at the Siliguri Cyber Crime Police Station on May 20 by advocate Rinki Chattopadhyay Singh. She had also alleged that the police had initially refused to register the case and that the FIR was accepted only after repeated follow-ups.
According to the complainant, two remarks by Mamata Banerjee — one during a religious event in 2025 and another at a Dharmatala protest ahead of the Assembly elections — had deeply hurt the sentiments and beliefs of “millions of Sanatani Hindus across India and the world.”
The complaint further alleged that during the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly Election campaign, Banerjee allegedly issued a provocative statement, suggesting that if a particular community attacked Hindus, it would have severe consequences. Advocate Singh argued that such remarks were intended to “influence voters through fear and intimidation” and promote “social unrest and communal disharmony.” Police registered the FIR under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), India’s new criminal code. The charges include Section 351(1) for criminal intimidation and Section 352 for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace.
Meanwhile, the TMC general secretary and Ms Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee was grilled for over six hours by the West Bengal police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with a case involving forgery of signatures of MLAs. Mr Banerjee appeared before the CID at West Bengal police headquarters at Bhabani Bhawan on Thursday evening after the Calcutta High Court had earlier in the day directed the Trinamool Congress leader to appear before the CID in the Vidhan Sabha signature scam probe. He has been summoned again on Sunday by the CID for further questioning.
“The petitioner shall present himself before the investigating agency today by 6:00 p.m. The investigating agency shall be at liberty to interrogate the petitioner in accordance with law. The petitioner shall fully cooperate with the investigation,” Justice Kausik Chanda of the Calcutta High Court had said in the order while granting a three-week interim protection against arrest to Mr Banerjee, directing that the CID cannot take any coercive action as long as he cooperates with the investigation.
“The investigating agency shall not take any coercive steps against the petitioner for a period of three weeks from date,” the order said. The court also stated that in case of any further presence required of the petitioner, the agency shall issue at least 48 hours’ prior notice to him. The court will hear the matter after two weeks and sought a report from the CID over the investigation.
The CID investigation was prompted after a First Information Report (FIR) was filed in relation to the complaint by Trinamool MLAs Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha alleging that their signatures were forged in the letter nominating Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly. The letter was submitted to the Speaker on May 20. The State agency then issued several summons to Abhishek Banerjee, who had signed the letter. However, he did not appear in person, citing health issues, and sought 15 days more to respond.
On June 9, a search was carried out at the residence at the former Chief Minister at 30B, Harish Chatterjee Street by the CID claiming that since the address was mentioned in the party office, they came looking for the original resolution containing the forged signatures. The Trinamool Congress has moved the Calcutta High Court, challenging the legality of the search operation at the Harish Chatterjee Street address.
The signature scandal in the Trinamool Congress is what prompted the rebellion of party legislators. After the suspension of Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, 58 of the party MLAs formed a bloc and elected Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of Opposition.
The rebellion has reached Delhi as a majority of the 29 Trinamool Congress MPs in Lok Sabha have decided to form a separate bloc and support the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre. Four Rajya Sabha MPs — Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Sushmita Dev, Prakash Chik Baraik and Koel Mallick have also resigned from the party and the Rajya Sabha.
The rebel TMC MPs said they would meet the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday to seek recognition as the “real TMC,” rebel MP Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia said on Friday and claimed that 19 members were currently backing the faction. He said the rebels have already submitted representation to the Speaker.
“We have submitted the letter… On Monday, we will go to the Speaker and stake our claim to form the real TMC parliamentary group. We will ask the Speaker to give recognition to our claim,” Mr Basunia said. He said that the process to collect signatures began on June 8 and that 19 MPs had signed the representation so far.
Mr Basunia hit back at TMC MP Kirti Azad over his remarks that dissident MPs were being given money to shift loyalty, and said, “Kirti Azad is a liar. This is not right to say. We are 19 MPs and he is also an MP… it is not right to make such allegations.” Asked about senior TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee’s remarks attacking Abhishek Banerjee, Mr Basunia said, “He is saying the right thing. We support Kalyan ji’s statement.”
Mr Kalyan Banerjee, considered one of Mamata Banerjee’s trusted lieutenants, issued a strong message to the party leadership on Thursday stating that Mamata Banerjee would eventually have to decide whether she stood with her nephew Abhishek Banerjee or with long-serving party workers who have been associated with the organisation for years. “I am with Mamata Banerjee, but Didi will have to decide if she is with Abhishek or the TMC. Mamata di has to decide first. If she cannot run the party without Abhishek, then I will not be there,” Kalyan Banerjee said.
Meanwhile, the growing turmoil within the TMC has taken a fresh turn, with senior party MP Shatrughan Sinha publicly reaffirming his loyalty to West Bengal Chief Minister and party chief Mamata Banerjee amid the ongoing rebellion by a section of party leaders but disowned Abhishek Banerjee.
As several TMC MPs and leaders continue to raise questions over the handling of the party affairs by Abhishek, Mr Sinha also made it clear that his political allegiance remain firmly with Ms Banerjee but not her nephew. “My leader is one and only Mamata Banerjee, not Abhishek Banerjee,” he told the media persons.
Commenting on the rebellion within the party, Sinha questioned the timing of those who have chosen to challenge the leadership. He asked why the dissenting leaders did not take a similar stand before elections if they were unhappy with the party’s functioning. The TMC MP described Mamata Banerjee as a seasoned and successful political leader who has repeatedly demonstrated her leadership abilities over the years. According to him, her experience and political maturity have helped the party navigate several challenges in the past.
Sinha also spoke highly of senior TMC leader and MP Kalyan Banerjee, calling him one of the country’s finest parliamentarians. He highlighted Banerjee’s intelligence and political acumen, saying his contribution to parliamentary debates and party affairs has always been noteworthy.
At the same time, Sinha suggested that the differences between Kalyan Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee stem from issues related to protocol and organisational discipline rather than ideological disagreements.
Referring to Kalyan Banerjee’s recent remarks, Sinha pointed out that the veteran MP has repeatedly maintained his commitment to Mamata Banerjee. He noted that despite his criticism of certain developments within the party, Kalyan Banerjee has made it clear that he has always stood by the TMC chief and intends to continue doing so.
