Abhishek Banerjee ordered to give voice sample in West Bengal election remark case

The Calcutta High Court directed Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee to appear before a magistrate on July 15 to record his voice sample for a criminal investigation into remarks he made during the West Bengal Assembly election campaign. The remarks, about disc jockeys playing music so loudly that "ears would ring" after the results, were alleged to be provocative and intimidating.

The court reiterated that Banerjee’s earlier interim protection from coercive action, granted on May 21, was conditional on his full cooperation. It also ordered police to ensure his safety and prevent any harassment, including egg‑pelting, when he appears before the investigating agency. Banerjee had challenged the trial‑court order permitting the West Bengal CID to collect his voice sample, but withdrew his revision petition after the high court’s hearing.