Calcutta High Court Provides Interim Relief to Abhishek Banerjee
In a significant development, the Calcutta High Court has intervened to shield Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee from immediate legal action in relation to three FIRs filed against him. The court’s directive, issued on Thursday, instructs the West Bengal police to refrain from any coercive measures against Banerjee regarding cases registered between May 27 and June 16, 2026.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharya’s Directives
Justice Saugata Bhattacharya ordered the police to provide detailed information on any pending FIRs involving Banerjee. The court’s decision follows Banerjee’s plea, highlighting a surge in FIRs that he claims are politically motivated, following the BJP’s ascension to power in West Bengal on May 4. His legal representative, Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, outlined that eleven FIRs have been filed against Banerjee, eight of which were initially cited in his petition. He further noted that three additional FIRs have since emerged, with more potentially forthcoming.
Nature of Allegations and Legal Arguments
The complaints against Banerjee are said to encompass allegations dating back several years, including a 2020 case involving purported misallocation of cyclone Amphan relief funds. Another case involves ambiguous accusations related to illegal mining activities spanning 2017 to 2025. Sankaranarayanan contended that none of these cases, on face value, implicate Banerjee in criminal activities, and questioned the rationale behind delayed FIR registrations for historical incidents.
Scope of Court’s Examination
The court observed that only three of the FIRs listed in Banerjee’s petition contained specific allegations, prompting it to limit its scrutiny to these cases. A further hearing is scheduled for August 6, and until then, the police are restrained from any actions against Banerjee concerning the specified FIRs: Bhavanipur police station case no. 121/2026, Kalitala police station case no. 140/2026, and Bishnupur police station case no. 668/2026.
Contentions from the West Bengal Government
The West Bengal government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, opposed the interim protection granted to Banerjee. They challenged the validity of a single petition to quash multiple FIRs and questioned the propriety of blanket protective orders in such instances. Mehta argued that granting relief to Banerjee would create an exception compared to ordinary citizens.
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Court’s Response and Precedents
Responding to the state’s arguments, the court remarked on the unusual frequency of FIRs filed against Banerjee in a short time frame. Sankaranarayanan drew parallels to a previous case where BJP leader Suvendhu Adhikari received similar protection from the court amid politically charged FIRs. While Raju contended that past interim orders do not set precedents, Sankaranarayanan highlighted that such orders led to the eventual dismissal of FIRs against Adhikari, who now holds significant political office in West Bengal.
Future Implications
The court, however, clarified that it does not intend to restrict future FIR filings against Banerjee. The matter remains under judicial review, with the next hearing set for August 6, 2026.
