The Calcutta High Court on Monday denied permission to Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee to travel abroad for eye treatment even as it granted him interim protection from coercive police action in the election speech case till September 30.
A bench of Justice Saujata Bhattacharya directed a medical examination at the state-run SSKM Medical College and Hospital. The court said the petition seeking travel abroad may be considered only if a medical board at SSKM Hospital finds that treatment is not possible in Kolkata. The matter will be heard again next month.
Banerjee’s lawyers told the court that he had been heading to the US for 10 years for treatment and should be allowed to travel.
Additional Solicitor General Rajdeep Majumdar said Banerjee’s absence from India will affect the ongoing investigations into cases, including the case in which he is accused of making provocative statements in his campaign speeches in the run-up to the 2026 Assembly elections.
On May 15, Banerjee was booked for his election speeches under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act and the Representation of the People Act. Two of the charges against him are non-bailable. On June 16, the CID interrogated Banerjee for about 6.5 hours.
On July 10, Justice Bhattacharya suspended Banerjee for not submitting his vote sample in the election speech case despite receiving two notices. He said the court granted relief from coercive police action until July 31 on the condition that Banerjee cooperate with investigators.
The court ordered Banerjee to submit an audio sample to him on July 15 after hearing his petition seeking exemption from recording it. Banerjee’s lawyer, Ayan Bhattacharya, withdrew the petition after the court made strong observations.
