The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a summons to Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and a Member of Parliament, requesting his presence on June 15 regarding the investigation into irregularities related to primary school recruitment.

A team from the ED visited Banerjee’s residence in Kalighat, Salt Lake, on Wednesday evening to deliver the summons. However, he was not present at the time, as he was attending a meeting at the home of his aunt, former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alongside other senior TMC leaders, including Chandrima Bhattacharya.

Since Abhishek was unavailable, the ED officials waited briefly before handing the summons to one of his representatives. According to sources within the ED, the agency aims to interrogate Banerjee due to the discovery of additional evidence in the case.

Reports indicate that the investigation has uncovered financial transactions linked to the alleged scam that were directed to accounts associated with Leaps and Bounds Pvt Ltd, a company connected to Abhishek Banerjee. Furthermore, call recordings reportedly reference the TMC MP.

As part of the notice, Banerjee is instructed to meet with ED investigators at the CGO complex on June 15.

This is not the first time Banerjee has been summoned; on May 30, he was asked to appear before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with a signature forgery case. In this instance, TMC MLAs Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha had lodged a complaint with the Speaker, alleging that a resolution purportedly adopted on May 6 was fabricated, with numerous signatures appearing in block letters. Following an inquiry led by the Assembly’s Principal Secretary, an FIR was filed with the Hare Street Police Station, and the CID subsequently took over the investigation.

The CID has recorded testimonies from 13 TMC MLAs, with three—Baharul Islam, Arup Roy, and Subhasis Das—officially denying the authenticity of their signatures on the disputed document. After Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari addressed the inconsistencies at a press conference, the TMC expelled the two complainants, Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, for alleged anti-party behavior.

On May 30, CID officials also visited Banerjee’s residence on Kalighat Road, delivering a notice that required him to report to the CID office at Bhavani Bhavan for questioning on June 1. However, Banerjee responded with a letter seeking a 15-day extension, citing an assault he suffered while visiting the family of a deceased party worker in Sonarpur. In response, the CID issued a second notice, providing a seven-day window for Banerjee to comply with the investigation.

Tanusree Bose is an experienced journalist for The Indian Express, based in Kolkata. Her reporting is primarily focused on the intricate political, administrative, and judicial developments within West Bengal, solidifying her reputation as a credible source in regional news.

Her current role involves delivering trustworthy content for the esteemed national newspaper, with a strong emphasis on West Bengal’s political landscape.

Bose’s expertise encompasses various critical areas, including:

• State Politics and Governance: Reporting on the ruling TMC, opposition strategies, and internal political disputes.
• Judicial and Administrative Matters: Observing significant developments in the Calcutta High Court, particularly regarding employment and social issues.
• Education Sector: Investigating major controversies, including those related to teacher recruitment irregularities.
• Social and Electoral Issues: Covering public events and election-related processes, including the electoral roll’s Special Intensive Revision.

Tanusree Bose’s commitment to high-stakes regional coverage for a reputable media outlet reinforces her status as a reliable and authoritative figure in West Bengal news reporting.