Delhi Police serve notice to Mamata Banerjee as witness in 2013 protest case

Delhi Police have served a notice to Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, asking her to record her statement as a witness in connection with a 2013 case registered during a protest in New Delhi.

A police team visited her residence on Harish Chatterjee Street in Kolkata's Kalighat to hand over the notice. Police confirmed that she is being called strictly as a witness rather than an accused person, offering flexibility for her statement to be recorded at her residence, office, or another location of her choice.

Details of the 2013 case

The notice was issued under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in connection with Case No. 57/13, registered on 9 April 2013 at New Delhi's Parliament Street Police Station. The case involves charges related to obstructing public servants from performing their duties and rioting.

Background to the demonstration

The matter stems from an incident in April 2013 when a Trinamool delegation visited the capital. Demonstrations had erupted following the death of Students' Federation of India leader Sudipto Gupta in police custody in Kolkata. Protesters gathered outside Banga Bhawan on Hailey Road and later near the Planning Commission headquarters on Sansad Marg.

Tensions escalated outside the Planning Commission office where West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra and Banerjee arrived for an official meeting. Left-wing activists surrounded the area and heckled officials, leading security forces to intervene to maintain public order.

Security response and law enforcement

Delhi Police registered the case after officers were allegedly obstructed while managing crowds and enforcing security protocols around the government building. A police report prepared at the time noted that Central Industrial Security Force personnel opened the gates to secure the entry of visiting officials while law enforcement cleared the surrounding area.

Police said the issuance of the witness notice forms part of routine procedural steps to conclude the long-standing investigation in accordance with established legal standards.