1 week ago
Calcutta High Court Protects Abhishek Banerjee in Three FIRs
The Calcutta High Court gave Abhishek Banerjee temporary protection in three criminal cases.
This means police cannot take forceful action against him until November 30.
The court said they do not need to question him while he is in custody.
Banerjee must still cooperate with the investigation and follow police notices.
Police must give him at least 48 hours’ notice before calling him for questioning.
The court also asked for a report about how the investigation is progressing.
The cases involve allegations about election comments, soil theft, and cyclone relief money.
Banerjee can travel abroad for medical treatment under the Supreme Court’s earlier permission, but otherwise needs the High Court’s permission to travel abroad.
The Calcutta High Court barred coercive action against TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee in three FIRs until November 30.
The court said custodial interrogation was not necessary and ordered Banerjee to cooperate with investigators.
Police must provide Banerjee at least 48 hours’ notice before requiring him to appear for questioning.
The state must submit an investigation progress report at the next hearing on November 23.
The cases reportedly include alleged provocative election remarks, a ₹300-crore soil theft allegation, and alleged ₹238-crore Cyclone Amphan relief-fund irregularities.
- Who
- The Calcutta High Court, Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, and West Bengal police are involved.
- What
- The court ordered that police take no coercive action against Banerjee in three FIRs and set conditions for the investigation.
- Where
- The FIRs were registered at police stations identified in reports as Bhawanipore or Bhowanipore, Kalitala Ashuti or Kalitala, and Bishnupur in West Bengal.
- When
- The order was issued on August 25, 2026; protection runs until November 30, with the next hearing on November 23.
- Why
- The court found custodial interrogation unnecessary at this stage while investigations continue into the allegations.
Banerjee’s Position
State and Police Position
Protection from coercive action
Banerjee’s Position
Banerjee sought protection while the cases are investigated, and the court granted it after finding custodial interrogation unnecessary.
State and Police Position
The state sought a stay of the High Court’s order, but the court declined that request.
Foreign medical travel
Banerjee’s Position
Banerjee’s lawyer said the Supreme Court had already permitted foreign travel for medical treatment and that the High Court order should not restrict it.
State and Police Position
The state argued that the Supreme Court’s permission applied only to the petition before that court; the High Court nevertheless preserved the medical-travel permission subject to its conditions.
Investigation compliance
Banerjee’s Position
Banerjee must receive FIR and complaint copies and at least 48 hours’ notice before appearing for questioning.
State and Police Position
Police may seek variation or cancellation of the protection if Banerjee does not cooperate with the investigation.
Key facts
- Protected person
- Abhishek Banerjee, a Trinamool Congress MP
- Number of FIRs
- Three
- Protection period
- Until November 30, 2026, or until further orders
- Notice requirement
- Police must provide at least 48 hours’ notice before questioning him
- Next hearing
- November 23, 2026
- Investigation report
- The state must submit a progress report on the three investigations
- Reported allegations
- Provocative election remarks, alleged ₹300-crore soil theft, and alleged ₹238-crore Cyclone Amphan relief-fund irregularities
- Travel
- The High Court requires permission for foreign travel, but said this does not curtail Supreme Court permission for medical treatment
Quotes
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya
Calcutta High Court judge hearing Banerjee’s petition
“The order passed today shall not in any way curtail the right of the petitioner to go abroad for treatment in terms of the order passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court on August 10, 2026, for treatment, subject to compliance of conditions mentioned in the said order.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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