Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Abhishek Banerjee Challenges Withdrawal of Z-Plus Security
Abhishek Banerjee is a Trinamool Congress leader and Member of Parliament.
He is asking a court to bring back his Z-Plus security protection.
His lawyer says the protection was removed after the West Bengal election and a change in government.
The lawyer also says Banerjee has faced several attacks or security scares.
One incident happened on May 30 in Sonarpur, where protesters allegedly threw objects at him.
Another security concern was reported near Kolkata airport, and stones were allegedly thrown at his home in July.
The state said his protection should follow the arrangements used for other MPs.
The court did not hear the request immediately but will consider the petition on October 6.
Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee has moved the Calcutta High Court challenging the withdrawal of his Z-Plus security after the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
His counsel, Ayan Bhattacharya, said the protection was withdrawn after the election results and change of government.
Banerjee’s lawyer cited several alleged security incidents, including an attack during a May 30 visit to Sonarpur.
The court declined an immediate hearing but allowed the petition to be filed and scheduled it for October 6.
The state administration indicated that Banerjee would receive security arrangements applicable to other Members of Parliament, while the BJP denied links to reported incidents and called the Sonarpur protest spontaneous.
- Who
- Abhishek Banerjee, Trinamool Congress national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP, represented by lawyer Ayan Bhattacharya.
- What
- Banerjee has challenged the withdrawal of his Z-Plus security and is seeking its restoration.
- When
- The petition was mentioned on Monday; the next hearing is scheduled for October 6. The reported Sonarpur attack occurred on May 30.
- Where
- The case is before the Calcutta High Court; the main reported attack occurred in Sonarpur, South 24-Parganas, West Bengal.
- Why
- His lawyer says the security was withdrawn after the election results and that Banerjee has faced several attacks while lacking a formal security contingent.
Banerjee’s Security Claim
State and BJP Positions
Restoration of Z-Plus protection
Banerjee’s Security Claim
Banerjee’s counsel says the Z-Plus cover provided before the Assembly elections was withdrawn after the results and should be restored because of alleged attacks and safety concerns.
State and BJP Positions
The state administration indicated that Banerjee would receive security in line with arrangements applicable to other Members of Parliament.
Security incidents
Banerjee’s Security Claim
Banerjee’s side cites the May 30 Sonarpur attack and other alleged incidents as evidence that his security arrangements need reconsideration.
State and BJP Positions
The BJP denied links to the airport-related incident and rejected the Trinamool’s allegation that the Sonarpur attack was BJP-sponsored, describing the protest as a spontaneous expression of public anger.
Adequacy of current protection
Banerjee’s Security Claim
His lawyer told the court that Banerjee currently has no formal security contingent apart from a few home guards and sought an urgent hearing.
State and BJP Positions
The court did not grant an immediate hearing, and the reported state position was that standard MP-level security arrangements would apply.
- Petitioner
- Abhishek Banerjee
- Political role
- Trinamool Congress national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP
- Requested protection
- Z-Plus security
- Court
- Calcutta High Court, before Justice Krishna Rao
- Next hearing
- October 6
- Reported incidents
- Sonarpur attack on May 30, a June airport security concern, and alleged stone-throwing at his home in July
- Reported current protection
- A few home guards, according to Banerjee’s counsel
