Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O’Brien Named in FIR After Camac Street Signboard Clash in Kolkata

Kolkata Police have registered FIRs against Trinamool Congress leaders Abhishek Banerjee and Derek O’Brien following a confrontation at the party’s Camac Street office during the removal of an alleged unauthorised signboard. Police have also arrested 13 people in connection with the clash, which involved TMC workers, civic officials and police personnel, India Today reported.

The incident took place on Thursday when Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) officials, accompanied by police, reached the building at 9 Camac Street to remove a large signboard carrying the name of the All India Trinamool Congress. Abhishek Banerjee To Appear Before ED Today for Questioning in West Bengal School Job Case.

How the Clash Started

According to police, the KMC had requested police assistance in writing to remove the signboard, which the civic body considered unauthorised.

The arrival of the civic team and police led to a confrontation with TMC leaders and supporters at the premises. Police alleged that members of the group obstructed officials from carrying out their duties and that some personnel were assaulted. ‘TMC is a Single, Indivisisible Political Party’: Abhishek Banerjee Urges Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to Reject Rebel Faction.

Three FIRs have been registered at Shakespeare Sarani Police Station. One was based on a complaint by a police officer, another followed a KMC complaint, while a third case was registered following a complaint from an officer attached to Park Street Police Station against unidentified persons.

Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O’Brien Named

The FIRs name TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien, along with other party leaders including Humayun Kabir and Baisanor Chattopadhyay.

Police have invoked provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to unlawful assembly, obstruction of public servants and alleged assault. The investigation is being conducted using witness statements and video footage from the incident. Thirteen TMC activists have been arrested so far in connection with the confrontation.

Derek O’Brien Falls During Scuffle

The confrontation also saw Derek O’Brien fall down a staircase. Visuals of the incident circulated widely after the clash.

O’Brien later alleged that a large police contingent entered the party office without proper authorisation. He questioned the legality of the civic action and claimed the documents presented by officials were incomplete. The allegations made by O’Brien have not been independently established.

TMC Questions Civic Action

TMC leaders have challenged the manner in which the signboard was removed and alleged that the action was politically motivated. Abhishek Banerjee and other party leaders questioned the authority and documentation behind the KMC operation. The party has maintained that the civic action was carried out improperly.

Police, however, have said the KMC had formally sought assistance for the removal of the alleged unauthorised billboard and that the confrontation resulted from resistance to the operation.

Probe Underway

The case has now escalated into a legal dispute involving senior TMC leaders. Police are examining CCTV footage and other recordings to establish the sequence of events and determine individual roles in the confrontation.

The dispute has also triggered a wider political controversy in West Bengal, with the TMC questioning the civic action and police maintaining that their personnel were obstructed while carrying out official duties. Further action will depend on the evidence collected during the investigation.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 28, 2026 04:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).