Abhishek Banerjee Demands Public Apology, Rs 10 Crore Compensation from Madan Mitra

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday served a Rs 10 crore legal notice on senior party leader and Kamarhati MLA Madan Mitra, alleging that the latter made defamatory and malicious statements against him during a social media broadcast.

The legal notice, issued through Banerjee's lawyer, seeks Rs 10 crore as compensation for the alleged damage caused to his personal reputation, political standing, credibility and goodwill. It also directs Mitra to immediately stop making what it describes as false and fabricated allegations.

According to the notice, Mitra made malicious comments and baseless insinuations against the three-time Diamond Harbour MP during a live broadcast, portraying him in a manner that allegedly harmed his public image. The notice contends that the remarks falsely suggested Banerjee's involvement in serious criminal activities, thereby affecting his integrity and political credibility.

The notice further states that the live broadcast was widely viewed and shared across multiple digital and social media platforms, significantly amplifying the reach of the alleged defamatory statements. As a result, Banerjee claims to have suffered serious and irreparable damage to his reputation.

In an unusual provision, the notice says that if the compensation is paid, the Rs 10 crore will be placed in a registered trust. The trust would be used to support legal proceedings related to defection cases involving Trinamool Congress MPs and MLAs, as well as provide legal and rehabilitation assistance to victims of political violence.

Besides seeking financial compensation, the notice also demands that Madan Mitra issue a public apology and comply with the demands within three days of receiving the legal notice.

The development comes amid growing tensions within the Trinamool Congress, with Mitra having recently joined the Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction of the party. The legal action marks a significant escalation in the internal dispute and could further intensify the political confrontation within the ruling party in West Bengal.