The Abhishek Banerjee received interim relief from the Calcutta High Court on Thursday, as the court restrained the West Bengal Police from taking any coercive action against him in connection with alleged remarks made against Union Home Minister Amit Shah during election rallies.
The case stems from statements allegedly made by the senior All India Trinamool Congress leader during campaign events, following which an FIR was registered. The allegations reportedly relate to remarks directed at the Union Home Minister, prompting a police investigation into the matter.
While granting protection from immediate coercive measures, the High Court made it clear that the relief was conditional. The bench directed Banerjee to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation and comply with all legal requirements during the probe. The court also imposed a restriction on his foreign travel, stating that he would not be permitted to leave the country without prior permission from the court.
Importantly, the High Court did not quash the FIR or halt the investigation. Observing that the allegations contained in the complaint required a “thorough probe,” the court allowed the investigation to continue in accordance with law. The observations indicate that while the court was inclined to protect the MP from immediate arrest or coercive action, it also considered the allegations serious enough to merit detailed examination by investigators.
The development is being viewed as a temporary legal reprieve for Banerjee, who is one of the most prominent leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and the nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The matter has also added to the continuing political tensions between the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, especially in the backdrop of election-related campaigning and political rhetoric.
Legal experts note that such interim protections are often granted by constitutional courts to ensure that investigations proceed without unnecessary coercion, while simultaneously safeguarding the rights of the accused. However, the continuation of the probe means that Banerjee may still be required to appear before investigators and respond to questions related to the FIR.
The case is expected to come up for further hearing after the investigation progresses, with both the state police and Banerjee’s legal team likely to present additional arguments before the court.
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