3 weeks ago
High Court refuses to quash 16 FIRs against Abhishek Banerjee
Abhishek Banerjee is an important politician in India — a member of parliament from the Trinamool Congress party.
After the state elections, police filed 16 different cases against him at police stations across the state.
He asked the Calcutta High Court to cancel all of those cases at once.
The judge said no — the court will not cancel the cases.
But the judge also said police cannot take any coercive action against him until August 31.
The police can keep investigating, and Banerjee must help them whenever they ask.
The judge wants to hear each case separately, not all together.
That is different from another politician, Suvendu Adhikari, who earlier got a quick 'blanket' stop on similar proceedings when he was Leader of the Opposition.
One day before this, the Supreme Court of India allowed Banerjee to travel abroad in September for eye treatment.
The Calcutta High Court declined Abhishek Banerjee's plea to quash 16 criminal proceedings against him.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya barred coercive action against the Trinamool MP until August 31, with the next hearing fixed for August 25.
Police can continue investigating the cases, and Banerjee must assist them whenever required.
Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju said all 16 cases were lodged after the state Assembly poll results, with none pending before the elections.
The court refused a blanket stay, unlike one earlier granted to Suvendu Adhikari, saying each matter must be heard separately.
- Who
- Abhishek Banerjee, Trinamool Congress MP, with the state represented by Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju
- What
- The Calcutta High Court refused to quash 16 FIRs against Banerjee but barred coercive action against him until August 31
- Where
- Calcutta High Court; cases were filed at police stations across West Bengal
- When
- Order issued on Tuesday; next hearing set for August 25, protection valid until August 31
- Why
- Banerjee sought a blanket stay on proceedings initiated by the Bengal government and ruling-party workers after the state Assembly poll results
Banerjee's defense
Court's approach
Blanket stay vs. case-by-case review
Banerjee's defense
Counsel Kishore Datta sought a blanket stay on all 16 proceedings, citing the earlier stay granted to Suvendu Adhikari when he was Leader of the Opposition.
Court's approach
The high court declined a blanket stay, saying each matter must be heard separately; police may proceed with investigations while Banerjee assists.
Key facts
- Petitioner
- Abhishek Banerjee, Trinamool Congress MP
- Court
- Calcutta High Court, Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya
- Cases
- 16 criminal proceedings (FIRs)
- Protection from coercive action
- Until August 31
- Next hearing
- August 25
- Case timing
- All 16 cases lodged after state Assembly poll results; none before
- Supreme Court order (day before)
- Allowed Banerjee to travel abroad in September for eye treatment
Quotes
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya
High Court judge who delivered the order
“The police can proceed with their investigation into these cases, and the petitioner will assist them whenever required.”
telegraphindia.com
“But the police will not be allowed to take any coercive measures against the petitioner till August 31.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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