Madan Mitra calls Abhishek Banerjee 'criminal', 'murderer'; gets ₹10 crore legal notice

Kolkata: The bitter power struggle within the Trinamool Congress has exploded into a full-blown legal battle, with Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee hitting senior party leader Madan Mitra with a massive Rs 10 crore defamation notice over his explosive allegations made during a Facebook Live.

The legal notice, sent through Banerjee's counsel, accuses the Kamarhati MLA of making 'false, malicious and defamatory' statements that have seriously damaged the MP's public image and political reputation.

It demands that Mitra pay Rs 10 crore in compensation and issue an unconditional apology within three days, failing which legal proceedings will be initiated.

In a significant move, the notice states that the compensation amount, if recovered, will not be retained personally by Banerjee.

Instead, it will be donated to a trust that provides financial assistance to Trinamool Congress leaders and workers fighting legal battles.

Besides monetary damages, the notice also directs Mitra to publicly withdraw his remarks through both a written statement and a video message within three days.

The confrontation stems from Mitra's Facebook Live broadcast on July 19, shortly after Rittabrata Banerjee's return to the Trinamool Congress.

During the livestream, the Kamarhati MLA launched one of his sharpest attacks yet on the MP.

Calling him a 'criminal' and a 'murderer', Mitra alleged that Banerjee 'gets people killed with money' and claimed he possessed 'criminal tendencies.'

He further asserted that attempts to intimidate him would fail, alleging that there had recently been an attempt on his life.

'You may be able to threaten people in Diamond Harbour, but don't try that with me. A few days ago, there was an attempt to kill me. Shots were fired at me. I am not afraid,' Madan had said during the livestream.

The legal notice argues that these allegations are completely baseless and have caused severe reputational harm to Abhishek Banerjee, both politically and socially.

The development marks a dramatic escalation in the internal political tensions within the Trinamool Congress.

All eyes are now on Mitra's next move, whether he chooses to apologise, contest the allegations, or prepare for a legal showdown that could further intensify the party's internal battle.