New Delhi: Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee has approached the Supreme Court, seeking permission to travel abroad to receive medical treatment for his eye condition.
Banerjee's plea challenges a July 20 order delivered by a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court, which declined his request to leave the country while an ongoing probe against him continues. The matter is expected to be listed for hearing before the apex court shortly.
High Court's Stance on Foreign Travel
During the proceedings in the High Court, Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya declined to allow the parliamentarian to travel overseas, noting that the investigation into the matter was still active. The court observed that Kolkata houses multiple reputed eye clinics capable of delivering high-quality ophthalmic care.
Justice Bhattacharyya further suggested that Banerjee present himself before the head of the ophthalmology department at the state-run SSKM Hospital in Kolkata. The department head could then assess the MP's condition and evaluate whether the required treatment could be safely and effectively administered locally.
Background and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The travel restriction stems from a case involving alleged intimidatory remarks made by Banerjee against leaders and workers of an opposition party during an election rally on April 27, in the run-up to the West Bengal Assembly elections. Banerjee had moved the High Court seeking to quash the FIR registered against him.
While refusing permission for foreign travel, the single-judge bench extended Banerjee’s interim protection from coercive action until October 6, or until further orders. However, the protection was granted on the condition that the TMC leader fully cooperate with investigating agencies and refrain from traveling abroad without prior judicial permission.
The High Court indicated that Banerjee's application for modifying the interim protection conditions would be heard in August, though no specific date was assigned.
