‘DJ remark’ case: HC extends Abhishek Banerjee protection to Oct 6, rejects urgent hearing of fly abroad plea
Times of India | 21 July 2026
Kolkata: Even while extending the interim protection against coercive action granted to Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee in the ‘DJ remark’ case till Oct 6, the Calcutta High Court on Monday rejected Banerjee’s urgent plea to fly abroad for eye treatment, and said that the court might direct the formation of a medical board to see whether his ailments could be treated in Kolkata.
The plea to travel abroad will be heard by Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya according to the Aug list.
While extending Banerjee’s protection, the court noted that the MP had been cooperating with investigators. The state, represented by additional advocate general Rajdeep Mazumder, opposed the extension of relief. However, Justice Bhattacharyya replied, “You conclude the investigation first.”
Banerjee’s counsel submitted that another application will be filed to relax the conditions for protection – he had to submit his passport and can only travel abroad after the court’s approval.
To this, Justice Bhattacharyya remarked, “There are reputed eye clinics in the city. You may have been going (abroad) for the last 20 years but in view of the present scenario (ongoing probes), the court will only permit you to go for treatment if such health issues cannot be addressed or treatment cannot be administered in Kolkata.”
He went on to add: “I stood counsel for a long time for the Medical Council of India… You are in a different court… There will be difficulty. I will direct SSKM to constitute a medical board, he will appear and a report will be placed before the court. Let me go through it first.”