SC Directs Calcutta High Court to Fast-Track Abhishek Banerjee’s Foreign Medical Travel Plea

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Calcutta High Court to consider within a week the plea filed by TMC national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee seeking permission to travel abroad for eye treatment.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana was informed by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for Banerjee, that the application seeking modification of the High Court’s order to allow overseas travel for medical reasons was pending without a hearing date.

The apex court observed that since the application was already before the High Court, it should examine the matter expeditiously. “Application for allowing travel abroad for medical treatment is pending before the High Court. It appears that no date has been fixed so far. We, therefore, request the High Court to look into that application,” the bench said.

Banerjee had approached the Supreme Court challenging the July 20 order of the Calcutta High Court, which extended his interim protection from coercive action till October 6 in a case related to alleged intimidatory remarks made during the West Bengal Assembly election campaign.

While granting continued relief, Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya of the High Court had directed Banerjee to cooperate with the investigation and prohibited him from travelling abroad without prior court approval. The court had also said that his plea seeking relaxation of travel restrictions would be considered in August.

Banerjee, the Diamond Harbour MP, had sought permission to travel overseas for specialised eye treatment. However, the High Court had earlier observed that several reputed eye treatment facilities were available in Kolkata and suggested that he consult the head of the ophthalmology department at the state-run SSKM Hospital to determine whether treatment could be provided locally.

The case stems from an FIR over alleged comments made by Banerjee against opposition leaders and workers during a public meeting on April 27, ahead of the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections. Banerjee has also sought the quashing of the FIR registered in connection with the remarks.