Derek O’Brien Questioned for Nearly Five Hours in Kolkata’s Camac Street Billboard Case
Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien appeared before Kolkata Police on Wednesday, September 2, for questioning in the investigation into a confrontation that erupted during the removal of an allegedly unauthorised billboard from a TMC office on Camac Street.
O’Brien reached the Shakespeare Sarani Police Station at around 10 am and left at approximately 2.45 pm, meaning his questioning lasted more than four-and-a-half hours and was widely reported as roughly five hours.
His appearance followed a second police summons. O’Brien had not appeared in response to the earlier notice, with his lawyers questioning its validity and seeking additional time.
The investigation centres on the events of August 27, when Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials, accompanied by police, went to the premises at 9 Camac Street to remove what authorities described as an unauthorised hoarding. The operation subsequently led to a confrontation involving TMC workers and officials.
What Police Questioned Derek O’Brien About
Police have not publicly released a complete transcript of O’Brien's questioning.
However, according to The Indian Express, investigators were expected to question him about the identities of people seen in CCTV footage allegedly manhandling police personnel and about why KMC officials were prevented from entering the building.
That distinction is important: these are matters under police investigation, and allegations connected with the confrontation should not be treated as established findings unless determined through the legal process.
Kolkata Police have been examining the conduct of several people present during the confrontation, including senior Trinamool leaders.
What Happened at the Camac Street Office?
The dispute began when KMC personnel went to the Camac Street premises to remove a billboard that civic authorities considered unauthorised.
Police personnel accompanied the civic team.
The situation escalated after TMC workers resisted the operation, resulting in a confrontation. Reports and police allegations have described officers and civic personnel as being obstructed while carrying out their duties.
O’Brien and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, the Lok Sabha MP from Diamond Harbour, arrived at the site during the confrontation.
Visuals from the incident showed O’Brien lying down during the operation in an apparent attempt to obstruct it, while other allegations concerning the conduct of party workers and leaders subsequently became part of the police investigation.
Three FIRs Filed in Connection With the Incident
The Camac Street confrontation has resulted in three separate FIRs.
According to reports, two cases were initiated by police and another by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. O’Brien, Abhishek Banerjee and other Trinamool leaders have been named in cases connected with the incident.
Among the other TMC figures named or summoned in connection with the investigation are former MLA Humayun Kabir and former KMC official Baiswanar Chattopadhyay.
Reports have differed on the precise number of arrests as the investigation progressed. The Economic Times reported 13 arrests, while a later Indian Express report said 14 people had been arrested. The difference appears to reflect reporting at different stages of the continuing investigation.
O’Brien Appeared After Second Summons
Wednesday's questioning came after an earlier dispute over O’Brien's police summons.
He had initially been directed to appear at Shakespeare Sarani Police Station on Monday. He did not attend, and his lawyers communicated with police questioning the validity of the notice.
Police subsequently went to his residence and served another notice through his staff, directing him to appear on Wednesday.
O’Brien complied with the second summons and arrived at the police station at around 10 am.
His questioning continued until around 2.45 pm.
Abhishek Banerjee Was Questioned a Day Earlier
O’Brien is not the only senior Trinamool leader questioned in the case.
A day earlier, Abhishek Banerjee appeared at the same Shakespeare Sarani Police Station for questioning about the confrontation. Reports put the duration of his questioning at roughly five to six hours.
The questioning of two senior TMC parliamentarians on consecutive days illustrates the widening scope of the investigation.
Banerjee's personal assistant, Sumit Roy, also appeared before investigators on Wednesday.
Why the Camac Street Case Matters
The controversy goes beyond a dispute over one billboard.
What began as a municipal enforcement action has developed into multiple criminal cases involving allegations including obstruction and assault of public servants, while several prominent members of West Bengal's ruling political establishment have been drawn into the investigation.
At the same time, the political identities of those involved make careful separation of allegations, police claims and established facts especially important.
The confirmed developments are that the billboard-removal operation took place on August 27, a confrontation followed, multiple FIRs were registered, arrests were made, and both Abhishek Banerjee and Derek O’Brien have since appeared before Kolkata Police for questioning.
The investigation remains ongoing, and questioning by police does not by itself establish criminal responsibility.
