Calcutta HC refuses permission to Abhishek Banerjee to travel abroad for treatment

The Calcutta High Court on Monday refused Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee permission to travel abroad for ophthalmic treatment. Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya’s bench directed Banerjee to undergo a medical examination at the state-run SSKM Medical College and Hospital before seeking overseas treatment. The court said it would consider his foreign travel request only if a medical board concluded that Kolkata could not provide the required treatment. The bench scheduled the matter for another hearing next month. At the same time, the court granted Banerjee interim protection from coercive police action until September 30 in the election speech case.

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Calcutta High Court Rejects Foreign Travel Request

Banerjee’s lawyers told the court that he had traveled to the United States for eye treatment over the past ten years. They argued that his long medical history justified another visit for specialized care abroad. The legal team urged the court to permit the overseas trip without further delay. However, the bench insisted that doctors at SSKM Medical College and Hospital should first evaluate his condition. The judges maintained that a local medical assessment remained necessary before considering any request for foreign treatment.

Additional Advocate General Rajdeep Majumdar opposed Banerjee’s request and argued that his absence from India could affect ongoing investigations. He told the court that several cases required Banerjee’s presence, including the election speech case. Investigators accused Banerjee of making provocative remarks during campaign speeches ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. The prosecution maintained that investigators needed uninterrupted access to him throughout the legal process. The court considered these submissions while deciding the travel request.

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CID Continues Probe Into Campaign Speech Allegations

Authorities booked Banerjee on May 15 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Representation of the People Act over his campaign speeches. Investigators included two non-bailable charges among the allegations filed against him. The Criminal Investigation Department questioned Banerjee for approximately six and a half hours on June 16. Investigators continued gathering evidence as part of the ongoing inquiry. The election speech case remains under active investigation by the concerned authorities.

Earlier, on July 10, Justice Bhattacharyya criticized Banerjee for failing to provide his voice sample despite receiving two notices from investigators. The judge reminded him that earlier protection from coercive police action depended on full cooperation with the investigation. The court later directed Banerjee to submit his voice sample on July 15 after hearing his exemption plea. Banerjee’s lawyer, Ayan Bhattacharya, withdrew the petition after the court made strong observations during the hearing. The High Court has now extended interim protection until September 30 while the legal proceedings continue.

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