Derek O’Brien questioned by Kolkata Police for 5 hours in illegal billboard row

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Derek O’Brien appeared before the Kolkata Police on Wednesday. He was questioned for around five hours in connection with a row over the removal of an allegedly illegal billboard at the party office of Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Camac Street.

O’Brien arrived at the Shakespeare Sarani police station around 10 am. He appeared before the police following the second summons. He had earlier sought seven days’ time to appear before the police.

Read more: TMC MP Derek O’Brien appears before Kolkata Police as Camac street office clash probe widens

On Tuesday, Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee appeared for questioning at the same police station and faced a marathon grilling for over six hours.

Meanwhile, Sumit Roy, the personal assistant to Banerjee, was also scheduled to appear for interrogation at the police station on Wednesday.

Kolkata Police had issued summons to O’Brien and Banerjee in connection with the ruckus following the removal of an allegedly illegal billboard at Banerjee’s office on Thursday.
Read more: Kolkata Police summons Derek O’Brien, Abhishek Banerjee over Camac Street scuffle

Three FIRs have been filed at the Shakespeare Sarani Police Station. In two of the three FIRs, Banerjee, O’Brien and other leaders, including Humayun Kabir and Baishwanar Chatterjee, have been named. The police has arrested 13 people in connection with the incident so far.