Delhi Police issues notice to Mamata Banerjee in 2013 protest case

Delhi Police has served a notice to former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, asking her to record her statement in connection with a 2013 case involving a confrontation between police personnel and a delegation of Trinamool Congress leaders during a protest in the national capital, police sources said on Monday.

The notice has been issued to Banerjee in her capacity as a witness in the investigation and not as an accused, the sources clarified.

The case relates to an incident in April 2013, when Banerjee, accompanied by a delegation of ministers and MPs from the Trinamool Congress, visited Delhi to protest against the alleged assault on then-West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra by members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI).

The delegation had gathered near the former Planning Commission headquarters on Sansad Marg, where a confrontation reportedly broke out with Delhi Police personnel.

According to the sources, police attempted to restrict the movement of the delegation, citing security concerns and prohibitory orders in force in the area.

The restrictions reportedly led to an exchange between Banerjee and the police personnel deployed at the location.

During the confrontation, Banerjee reportedly described herself as a "Lok Policy Representative (LIP)" rather than a VIP, maintaining that she had come to the national capital to fight for people's rights.

𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟑

The incident occurred against the backdrop of political tensions involving the Trinamool Congress and Left-affiliated student organisations.

The alleged assault on Amit Mitra had prompted protests by Trinamool leaders, who demanded action against those responsible.

Banerjee and members of her delegation subsequently travelled to Delhi, where their protest near the Planning Commission headquarters led to the reported confrontation with security personnel.

Police sources said the latest notice was intended to obtain Banerjee's statement regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident.

They reiterated that the former Chief Minister had not been named as an accused in the matter.

The notice comes more than 13 years after the original incident. Police have not disclosed why Banerjee's statement is being sought at this stage or whether a specific date has been fixed for recording it.

Further details regarding the investigation and Banerjee's response to the notice were not immediately available.