Special court summons Shah in defamation case filed by TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee

Kolkata: A designated MP/MLA special court at Bidhannagar in Bengal on Friday issued summons to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to appear either personally or through a lawyer before it on February 22 in connection with a defamation case filed against him by Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee.

The special judge of the MP/MLA court directed that Shah is "required to appear in person/by pleader" at 10 am on Monday.

In a press note, Banerjee's advocate Sanjay Basu has stated that Shah had made certain defamatory statements against Banerjee at the "Yuva Swabhiman Samabesh Rally" of the BJP held at Mayo Road in Kolkata on August 11, 2018.

During his speech, Shah had alleged Banerjee's involvement in ponzi schemes which were publicised in various media.

Following this, a criminal complaint was filed on August 28, 2018, under section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (Punishment for Defamation) and the cognizance was taken on the same date. The judge has directed that Shah's attendance either personally or through a lawyer is necessary to answer the charge of defamation.

In recent times too some BJP leaders like Suvendu Adhikari have alleged Banerjee's involvement in a financial scam. Banerjee has retorted that if any person can prove any such scam against him he would gladly hang himself.