Kolkata: A joint team of Kolkata Police and Bengal Fire and Emergency Services on Monday conducted a fire safety audit and building plan inspection at 9 Camac Street, which houses the office of Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee. A separate team of forensic officers from the Detective Department’s scientific wing also visited the premises to collect physical evidence following last Friday’s confrontation over the removal of a political billboard.The joint inspection began on Monday afternoon, with fire officials and personnel from Shakespeare Sarani police station carrying out a floor-by-floor inspection of the building, including its exterior, common corridors and parking basement. Officials focused on the seventh and eighth floors, where Banerjee’s office is located. During functional tests, fire officials found that the internal fire alarm system on Banerjee’s office floor was not working, said sources.The team also checked water pressure and basement pump systems, including the upward spray mechanism. Senior fire official Saroj Bag said several deficiencies and structural issues were detected during the inspection when compared with the sanctioned building plans.Officials also raised objections over an external shed on the property, which they described as unauthorised. Bag said a formal notice would be issued listing the non-compliance issues and that officials would also verify whether the building’s fire safety certification had expired.Fire officials maintained that the inspection was a routine regulatory exercise. However, the action comes amid heightened political and legal tensions following Friday’s incident. KMC personnel and police had attempted to remove an alleged “unauthorised” TMC billboard from the building, leading to a scuffle involving TMC workers and private security personnel.Shakespeare Sarani police subsequently registered three FIRs based on complaints by a civic official and a police sergeant. The charges include obstructing public servants, assault, rioting and outraging the modesty of female police personnel.Police later issued summonses under Section 35 to Banerjee and TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien. O’Brien, who was asked to appear before investigators at noon on Monday, sought a seven-day extension. A police team later visited his residence to serve a fresh notice.Banerjee has been asked to appear at Shakespeare Sarani police station by Tuesday noon. Advocate Arka Nag, representing Banerjee and O’Brien, issued a counter-notice to the police, alleging that copies of the FIRs were not available immediately. He also warned of contempt proceedings.
