Supreme Court allows Abhishek Banerjee to travel abroad for eye treatment

admin — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 09:39:00 +0000

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee. File
| Photo Credit: ANI

The Supreme Court on Monday (August 10, 2026) permitted Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee to travel abroad for three weeks for eye treatment while noting that every individual has a right to travel abroad and choose the medical assistance he wants to receive.

A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant was hearing a petition filed by Mr. Banerjee against a Calcutta High Court order refusing a restriction imposed on him to travel abroad. The travel restriction was imposed on him in a case concerning an alleged provocative remark made during the 2026 State Assembly election campaign while staying his arrest.

Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, for the State of West Bengal, said Mr. Banerjee had 16 criminal cases arraigned against him, and there was a probability he may flee. The law officer said there were enough medical facilities for him in India and he need not go abroad.

“That is his choice. Every individual has a right to go abroad. Every individual has the right to choose the medical assistance he should get,” Justice Joymalya Bagchi, on the Bench, remarked.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, for Mr. Banerjee, submitted that his client had a diplomatic passport issued during the ‘Operation Sindoor’ outreach. The government could easily trace his movements from the passport, the senior counsel said in an effort to allay fears that the TMC MP would abscond.

Mr. Raju said the State wanted to test the veracity of his claims for medical attention, and the need to go abroad for treatment.

“We want to test what has been stated, whether he actually requires consultation or not,” Mr. Raju said.

Justice Bagchi responded, “Let him go. Let him get himself checked. In the meantime, you start another criminal case against him if you find the documents [medical records, etc.] are forged”.

“I think the State is weighed with much more investigative jobs. You have said this individual is alleged to be involved in grave allegations, but you have not taken any steps against him. Please do not make this situation worse,” Justice Bagchi addressed the State

The Court directed Mr. Banerjee to share details of his flight, itinerary, place of residence and hospital abroad.

Published – August 10, 2026 03:09 pm IST

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High Court Breather For TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee In West Bengal School Jobs Scam Case

admin — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 12:17:02 +0000

The TMC hailed the Calcutta High Court judgement

Kolkata:

The Calcutta High Court on Friday granted relief to TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee, directing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) not to take coercive steps against him in connection with its probe into the school jobs scam in West Bengal. The court, however, did not quash the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), equivalent to an FIR, filed by the Enforcement Directorate against Mr Banerjee.

The single bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh directed the ED that no coercive steps can be taken against the Trinamool Congress MP based on the ECIR.

The court maintained that evidence produced by the ED is not sufficient to warrant Mr Banerjee’s arrest.

It also said that the investigation against Mr Banerjee into the alleged irregularities in recruitment of teachers in government and government-sponsored schools will continue.

Earlier this month, the TMC national general secretary was questioned by the ED for a marathon nine hours in connection with the West Bengal teacher recruitment scam.

The TMC hailed the high court judgement, while opposition Congress and CPI(M) reserved their comments.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said: “Though we should not directly comment on the probe and legal matters, but the judgement shows the central agencies have been hounding and harassing Banerjee, as he is a key force behind the battle against BJP’s communal and hatred-filled brand of politics.”

“The court has restrained the ED from harassing him further. Banerjee is helping in the probe and we know he will continue to assist the investigators,” Mr Ghosh added.

Party leader and senior West Bengal minister Sashi Panja said the Diamond Harbour MP has already deposed before the central agencies four-five times, but still “his harassment continues”.

Congress leader Adhir Choudhury told reporters that till Mr Banerjee is acquitted by the court, one should wait.

“The court has made some observations with regard to the probe by the ED. It is not proper to comment more at this juncture,” he said.

Sujan Chakraborty, CPI(M) central committee member, said it baffles him as to why Mr Banerjee would need “so many rakshakabach” (protective shield) from the court if he is not guilty.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Rahul Sinha said the court has asked probe agencies to continue their investigation against Mr Banerjee.

“Banerjee has been approaching the supreme court and the high court, seeking shields from probes by central agencies. I will not comment on judicial issues. He is entitled to such provisions,” Mr Sinha said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Abhishek Banerjee case – Artifex.News

Supreme Court allows Abhishek Banerjee to travel abroad for eye treatment

High Court Breather For TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee In West Bengal School Jobs Scam Case