Delhi Police has served a notice to former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, asking her to join the probe and record her statement in a 2013 case related to a confrontation between Trinamool Congress leaders and police personnel during a protest in New Delhi.Police sources said on Monday that Banerjee has been called as a witness and not as an accused.A team of Delhi Police personnel visited Banerjee's Kolkata residence to serve the notice, and it asked her to join the investigation on a suitable date at her residence, office or another location of her choice.The case dates back to April 2013, when Banerjee, accompanied by Trinamool Congress ministers and MPs, visited Delhi to protest against the alleged assault on then West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra by activists of the Students' Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of CPI(M). The delegation staged a protest near the Planning Commission headquarters on Sansad Marg, where a confrontation broke out between Banerjee and Delhi Police personnel over the route she was taking to enter the premises.Delhi Police had advised Banerjee to use a designated VIP entrance instead of the main gate, where Left activists had gathered.
However, she got out of her vehicle and walked towards the main entrance. According to a police report submitted to the Union Home Ministry, CISF personnel opened the main gate to allow Banerjee to enter.
Mitra, who was following her, was surrounded by protesters before reaching the entrance. He was manhandled, and his shirt was torn.
Security personnel later escorted him inside.Banerjee criticised Delhi Police's handling of the incident and denied reports that she had been advised to use the VIP entrance. Defending her decision, she said she considered herself a 'Less Important Person' (LIP), not a VIP, and would not bow her head.After the protest, Banerjee was admitted to Kolkata's Belle Vue Clinic following her return from Delhi.
She complained of breathing difficulties, palpitations and body pain.- Ends