'Why collect samples if I admit...?' Abhishek moves High Court over DJ case

Abhishek Banerjee, has once again approached the Calcutta High Court. This time, the senior leader has legally challenged a recent lower court directive that permitted the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to collect his voice samples in connection with a controversial campaign speech, popularly known as the "DJ case." Represented by his counsel, Banerjee questioned the logical necessity of the investigative procedure, stating before the court that since he does not deny the voice in the recording belongs to him, there is no valid reason for the agency to forcefully record fresh samples.

The legal battle stems from a provocative remark made by Abhishek Banerjee during a high-octane political rally ahead of the recently concluded West Bengal assembly elections. During his speech, Banerjee had warned his political opponents about post-election consequences, claiming that a "DJ will play so loudly after midnight on the 4th that it will make ears ring." The statement prompted a local resident from Baguiati to lodge a formal complaint at the Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police Station, accusing the top leader of inciting violence and threatening Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The case was subsequently handed over to the state CID on June 11 for a thorough probe.

As part of its ongoing investigation, the CID had previously interrogated Banerjee for over six hours at its Bhavani Bhavan headquarters and even questioned Aditi Gayan—the daughter of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's sister—who reportedly managed the MP's social media accounts. Seeking further forensic validation of the audio-video evidence, the CID approached the Bidhannagar Court, which on June 23 granted permission to record Banerjee's voice in the presence of a judicial magistrate and forensic experts on June 30. Following this, a CID team visited Banerjee's Kalighat residence on Wednesday night to officially serve the summons notice.