The Calcutta High Court has granted interim protection from coercive action to Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad in connection with an extortion case, observing prima facie that it did not find substance in the allegations against the former cricketer based on an audio recording played before the Court.

Justice Kausik Chanda, while granting the interim protection, directed Azad to cooperate with the investigation being conducted by the West Bengal CID.

The Court directed Azad to appear before the CID at Bhabani Bhawan on September 22 at noon. It further directed that if the investigating agency requires his presence for questioning in future, seven days' prior notice would have to be given to him.

The Court also directed the investigating agency to submit a report after six weeks. The matter is expected to be taken up again thereafter.

The case arose from allegations made by a businessman, who claimed that an associate of Azad had allegedly demanded Rs 15 lakh from him.

According to the allegations, the businessman was threatened with closure of his cooking gas distribution business if he failed to pay the demanded amount. An audio recording purportedly relating to the alleged incident was placed before the High Court during the proceedings.

After hearing the matter, Justice Chanda observed that, prima facie, the allegations against Azad did not appear to have substance on the basis of the audio recording played before the Court.

Azad, however, has been directed to cooperate with the ongoing investigation and appear before the CID on September 22.

A detailed order is awaited.

Case No: CRR/3764/2026

Case: KIRTI VARDHAN AZAD VS STATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ANR