Calcutta High Court Provides Relief to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee Amid Investigation

Court Ruling on Abhishek Banerjee's Case

In a significant ruling, the Calcutta High Court has granted relief to Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee by preventing the West Bengal police from taking any punitive action against him regarding alleged statements made during election rallies involving Union Home Minister Amit Shah. However, the court clarified that Banerjee is not permitted to leave the country without judicial approval and must fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation.

The court emphasized the necessity for a thorough investigation into the allegations mentioned in the FIR and allowed the inquiry to proceed.

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Additionally, the High Court mandated that if the investigative agency wishes to summon the TMC MP for questioning, they must provide at least 48 hours' notice. Justice Sougata Bhattacharya instructed Banerjee to cooperate with the investigation and comply with any notices issued by the investigating officer. He was also directed not to travel abroad without court permission.

Banerjee, the MP from Diamond Harbour, had filed a petition in the High Court seeking the dismissal of the FIR registered against him for comments made during a public meeting on April 27, prior to the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, targeting leaders and workers of rival parties. Justice Bhattacharya raised concerns about Banerjee's irresponsible statements, questioning what might have happened if the TMC had won the elections, given the state's notorious history of post-election violence.

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The judge further inquired whether Banerjee's remarks during the public meeting were in line with his position as the All India General Secretary of the TMC. The court has provided him protection from punitive action until July 31 and scheduled the next hearing for July 20. Rajdeep Majumdar, the additional advocate general representing the West Bengal government, opposed Banerjee's petition but assured that the investigation would follow due legal process. Previously, the West Bengal police had filed an FIR against TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee for allegedly making inflammatory statements during the recently concluded Assembly elections.