The Calcutta High Court on Monday directed Trinamool Congress National General Secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee to undergo an eye examination at SSKM Hospital before considering his plea seeking permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The direction came during the hearing of the DJ case before Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya, where Banerjee's counsel sought the court's approval for his client's overseas travel for specialised eye treatment.
After hearing the submissions, the judge said, "The court will decide only after receiving the medical report from SSKM Hospital."
During the hearing, Justice Bhattacharyya asked whether Banerjee had sought medical advice from any eye hospital in Kolkata before requesting permission to travel abroad. His counsel, Ayan Bhattacharya, informed the court that the TMC leader has been undergoing treatment in the United States for the past 10 years, with regular examinations and follow-up care there.
The state government opposed the plea, arguing that Banerjee is involved in multiple ongoing cases and that permitting him to leave the country could affect investigations.
Appearing for the state, Additional Advocate General Rajdeep Majumdar submitted, "It is not only the DJ case. Abhishek Banerjee is involved in several cases. Allowing him to travel abroad at this stage could hamper the investigations."
Taking note of the submissions, Justice Bhattacharyya said the Head of the Ophthalmology Department at SSKM Hospital would be asked to constitute a medical board to examine Banerjee. The court said its decision on the travel request would depend on the findings of that medical team.
The judge also observed that if the expert medical board concludes that the required treatment cannot be provided in Kolkata, the court will consider granting permission for overseas treatment.
Banerjee has already filed a separate petition before the High Court seeking permission to travel abroad for medical care. While the court had earlier declined his request for an urgent hearing, the matter remains pending. During Monday's proceedings, his counsel requested that the separate petition also be taken up. Justice Bhattacharyya informed the court that the hearing on the travel permission plea is scheduled for August.
Banerjee has maintained that he requires continued treatment following injuries sustained in a road accident in October 2016, when he was returning to Kolkata after attending a party programme in Murshidabad. The accident left him with a serious injury below one eye. He initially underwent treatment at several hospitals in India before continuing specialised care abroad.
Meanwhile, in the DJ case, the High Court extended the interim protection granted to Banerjee until October, restraining the police from taking any coercive action against him during that period. However, the court directed him to continue cooperating with the investigation and instructed the police to complete the probe expeditiously.
The court also noted that Banerjee had already complied with its earlier direction to provide a voice sample. His counsel informed the bench that the sample had been collected at the Bidhannagar Court last Wednesday in accordance with the High Court's order.
