Calcutta High Court: Custodial Interrogation of Abhishek Banerjee Not Needed
The Calcutta High Court extended interim protection for Abhishek Banerjee until August 31, stating custodial interrogation is not required for cases filed after May 4. The court noted the change in political power in West Bengal as a factor in its decision.
Key takeaways
- The Calcutta High Court has extended interim protection for Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee until August 31.
- The court stated that custodial interrogation of Mr. Banerjee is not required for 16 cases registered against him after May 4, 2026.
- The court noted the change in the political scenario in West Bengal as a reason for its decision.
- Police are allowed to continue their investigation but cannot take immediate coercive action against Mr. Banerjee.
- The court reserved its final verdict on Mr. Banerjee's plea to quash the FIRs.
The Calcutta High Court has extended interim protection for Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee until August 31. The court ruled that his custodial interrogation is not necessary in relation to 16 cases registered against him after May 4, 2026. This decision came on August 11, 2026.
Justice Saugata Bhhattacharyya heard a plea filed by Mr. Banerjee, who alleged that a series of politically motivated First Information Reports (FIRs) were lodged against him shortly after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government assumed power on May 4. The court acknowledged that the political landscape in West Bengal has shifted with a different party now in power.
During the proceedings, the court inquired if any FIRs were filed against Mr. Banerjee prior to May 4. The additional solicitor general, S.V. Raju, confirmed that no cases existed before that date. While the court declined to quash the FIRs at this early investigatory stage, it permitted the police to continue their probe without immediately taking coercive action against him.
The judge referenced an incident where demolition work commenced on a property used as Mr. Banerjee’s MP office. The High Court intervened to halt this action over a weekend. The court questioned how an influential person's office could face demolition, suggesting this did not support the argument of Mr. Banerjee's significant influence. The state responded that the property is linked to Leaps and Bounds, a company associated with Mr. Banerjee, rather than belonging to him directly.
The court also remarked on the timing of such demolition proceedings, which began on a Friday evening, similar to other recent matters, and noted that the court is subsequently required to convene over weekends to address them. The court reserved its verdict on whether the interim protection should persist until a final decision is made on Mr. Banerjee's request to quash the FIRs.
Sources reviewed
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