Kolkata, September 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former cricketer and Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP Kirti Azad appeared before the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Kolkata on Tuesday for questioning in connection with an extortion case registered against him.
Azad, who represented Bardhaman-Durgapur in the Lok Sabha and was part of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning cricket team, reached the CID headquarters at Bhabani Bhavan in south Kolkata.
His appearance came after the Calcutta High Court granted him interim protection from arrest and other coercive action on September 15. Justice Kaushik Chanda directed Azad to cooperate with the investigation and granted protection from arrest for six months.
The court also directed the CID to give Azad at least seven days’ notice before summoning him for questioning. Following the court’s directions, the agency informed the bench that he would be required to appear before investigators on September 22.
The case relates to a complaint by a businessman, who alleged that he was called to Azad’s bungalow in Durgapur on May 21 last year. According to the complaint, an associate of the MP allegedly demanded Rs 15 lakh and threatened to have the businessman’s cooking gas business shut down if the money was not paid.
The complainant also claimed to have an audio recording of the alleged incident. An FIR was subsequently registered against Azad and several of his associates.
Azad has denied the allegations and described the case as an attempt to damage his reputation. He has maintained that he was not in Durgapur on the day of the alleged incident and submitted flight records before the High Court in support of his claim.
The TMC MP has also approached the Calcutta High Court seeking quashing of the FIR.
The CID questioning is part of the ongoing investigation, while the allegations against Azad remain subject to the outcome of the legal proceedings.
FOLLOW NOW
