Calcutta High Court Gives TMC MP Kirti Azad Six-Month Protection From Arrest in Extortion Case
The Calcutta High Court has granted Trinamool Congress (TMC) Lok Sabha MP Kirti Azad interim protection from arrest for six months in connection with an alleged extortion and criminal intimidation case. Justice Kaushik Chanda passed the order on September 15, while directing the former cricketer-turned-politician to cooperate with the investigation by the West Bengal Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The court’s protection covers coercive action, including arrest, during the interim period. The matter is expected to come up again in January 2027, according to reports on the court’s directions.
The case originates from a complaint by a businessman who alleged that he was called to a bungalow in Durgapur on May 21, 2025. According to the complaint, a person claiming to be an associate of Azad allegedly demanded ₹15 lakh from him and threatened that his cooking-gas distribution business would be shut down if the money was not paid. The complainant has also relied on an audio recording in support of his allegations.
An FIR was subsequently registered against Azad and some of his associates. The investigation was taken up by the CID, which later summoned the Bardhaman-Durgapur MP for questioning. Azad approached the High Court after apprehending arrest and also sought quashing of the FIR in separate proceedings.
As part of Tuesday’s order, Azad has been directed to appear before the CID at its headquarters at Bhabani Bhawan on September 22. The investigating agency can question him as part of the probe, but any further summons for questioning must be preceded by seven days’ notice, according to the reported court directions.
During the hearing, the court considered the audio recording produced in connection with the complaint. The Times of India reported that Justice Chanda said he did not, prima facie, find substance in the allegations against Azad based on the recording. The court nevertheless directed him to cooperate with the investigation rather than bringing the proceedings to an end at this stage.
Azad has denied the allegations. His defence has questioned the approximately 15-month gap between the alleged incident and registration of the FIR and has argued that there is no evidence showing that he actually received any extortion money. His lawyers have also maintained that he is willing to cooperate with investigators and that custodial interrogation is unnecessary.
The TMC MP has further disputed his alleged presence at the location of the incident. According to reports, he told the court that he was not in Durgapur on the date in question and submitted flight or travel documents in support of his claim. These are defence submissions and remain to be tested during the investigation and subsequent proceedings.
The High Court’s order does not amount to a final determination on the allegations. The CID investigation will continue, with Azad required to participate in the process under the conditions imposed by the court. The separate petition seeking quashing of the FIR also remains relevant to the future course of the case.
The immediate legal effect of Tuesday’s order is therefore limited but significant: Azad has protection from arrest for the specified six-month period while the investigation proceeds, subject to his compliance with the court’s directions and cooperation with the CID. The next stage of the case is expected to depend on the investigation report and the further proceedings before the High Court.
