Calcutta HC Rejects Abhishek Banerjee's Foreign Travel Plea For Eye Treatment, Orders Medical Evaluation

Last Updated:July 20, 2026, 13:54 IST

The Calcutta High Court refused Abhishek Banerjee's request to travel abroad for eye treatment, directing an SSKM medical board to examine him before taking a final decision.

The Calcutta High Court on Monday refused Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee’s request to travel abroad for ophthalmic treatment, directing him to first undergo an evaluation by specialists at Kolkata’s state-run SSKM Medical College and Hospital.

The order was passed by Justice Sougata Bhattacharya while hearing a case in which Banerjee is facing allegations of delivering hate speeches during the campaign for the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections.

Appearing before the court, Banerjee’s counsel sought permission for the TMC leader to travel overseas for specialised eye treatment.

However, Justice Bhattacharya declined to grant immediate approval and instead instructed that Banerjee be examined by experts at SSKM Medical College and Hospital.

The court directed the head of the hospital’s ophthalmology department to constitute a medical board to assess Banerjee’s condition.

Justice Bhattacharya said the court would decide on the request for foreign travel only after reviewing the medical board’s findings.

The matter has now been listed for further hearing in August.

During the hearing, Justice Bhattacharya asked Banerjee’s counsel whether the MP had consulted an ophthalmology specialist before approaching the court for permission to travel abroad.

In response, the counsel submitted that Banerjee had been receiving ophthalmic treatment in the United States for the past 10 years.

Despite the submission, the court held that a fresh assessment by doctors at SSKM was necessary before taking any decision on overseas treatment.

The West Bengal government opposed Banerjee’s plea. State Additional Advocate General Rajdeep Majumdar argued that allowing the TMC MP to travel abroad could affect ongoing legal proceedings, as several important cases involving him, including the alleged hate speech case, are still pending.

He submitted that permitting foreign travel at this stage could create difficulties in the investigation process.

After considering the submissions from both sides, the court directed that the medical examination be conducted before any decision is taken on the travel request.

INTERIM PROTECTION CONTINUES

While refusing permission for foreign travel for now, the High Court extended Banerjee’s interim protection from coercive police action, including arrest, until October in the hate speech case.

The allegations relate to statements allegedly made by Banerjee during an election campaign rally ahead of the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly polls.

He has been accused of making violence-inciting remarks and threatening Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The court also directed Banerjee to cooperate with the investigation and asked the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to complete its probe in the case at the earliest.

About the Author

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

News india Calcutta HC Rejects Abhishek Banerjee's Foreign Travel Plea For Eye Treatment, Orders Medical Evaluation

Read More