Swapna Kumbar , Bengaluru - A CID team has arrived at TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee's residence in Kolkata to serve a notice over alleged provocative remarks, marking the latest escalation in the unprecedented crisis gripping the Trinamool Congress. The development comes amid the ongoing investigation into the forged signature scandal involving newly elected TMC MLAs, which has effectively split the legislature party and triggered the most severe structural challenge to TMC since its founding in 1998.

The CID serves notice to Abhishek Banerjee in connection with a probe into the alleged use of forged signatures of party legislators in a communication submitted to the assembly secretariat, endorsing Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as Leader of Opposition. The notice summoned Banerjee to appear at CID headquarters, Bhabani Bhawan, over the investigation that now includes handwriting experts examining the disputed signatures. The dramatic law enforcement action marks significant escalation in the document forgery scandal, with CID executing simultaneous search operations at Mamata Banerjee's Kalighat residence-cum-office and TMC's central office at 30B Harish Chatterjee Street.

The ongoing signature forgery probe has effectively split the legislature party, with the rebel camp successfully securing recognition from the Speaker last week. TMC leaders initially prevented CID from entering the premises, citing the absence of Banerjee, before investigators ultimately gained access. With the rebel faction securing Speaker recognition and the forgery probe intensifying, the crisis presents TMC's most severe internal challenge since party's inception, raising fresh questions about West Bengal's political landscape.

The CID's visit to Abhishek Banerjee's home amid the signature forgery case highlights the intensifying political and legal scrutiny facing the TMC leadership. As the investigation progresses and the rebel faction gains ground, the party faces its most critical structural crisis, with both Mamata and Abhishek Banerjee's offices now under investigation.