The Calcutta High Court on Monday strongly reprimanded the West Bengal government for repeatedly registering FIRs against Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP and party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The court warned that if such cases continue to be registered against him, then it can issue such a comprehensive order, under which the state government will be barred from registering any new case against Abhishek Banerjee without the permission of the court.
During the hearing of petitions seeking quashing of three FIRs, Justice Saugata Bhattacharya said, I will pass a comprehensive order banning the registration of more FIRs against Abhishek Banerjee. The court also continued the protection granted against Abhishek Banerjee from any coercive action in these three cases.
FIRs were registered on 4, 11 and 23 July
The three FIRs sought to be quashed against Abhishek Banerjee were filed on July 4, July 11 and July 23. These cases mainly relate to allegations related to 'Sebashraya', a community health initiative launched by Banerjee last year.
Two of these complaints were filed on July 4 and July 11. One complaint was lodged by Abhijit Das, also known as Bobby, while the other complaint was lodged by another person. The court noted that the subject matter of both the complaints was the same.
The judge said – enough is enough now
During the hearing, Justice Bhattacharya expressed his displeasure with the state government. He said that he has been hearing these cases since May 2026 and now he is going to pass a comprehensive stay order on the basis of the order given by the equivalent bench in the case related to Suvendu Adhikari.
The judge said, enough is enough. I am hearing these cases from May 2026. Now I will pass a comprehensive stay order relying on the order of the equivalent bench in the case of Suvendu Adhikari. I'm telling you now I'm fed up.
Mention of old order of 25th August also
The court said that it has already given orders regarding some other FIRs registered against Abhishek Banerjee on August 25. Now the court wants to see whether there is a need to give separate orders in the present three cases also.
Justice Bhattacharya also raised the question as to how much direct connection there is between the allegations made and Abhishek Banerjee. However, he clarified that the court has no objection to investigating the allegations.
The judge said, the court is of the opinion that investigation should be done, but there is no need for custodial interrogation. The court also raised questions on whether repeated complaints were becoming a means of targeting a single person.
Court also keeps an eye on the complaints of Abhijit Das
The court also took note of the role of Abhishek Banerjee's political opponent Abhijit Das alias Bobby. It was put before the court that Das had lost the Lok Sabha elections twice and was now continuously filing complaints.
The judge questioned whether Das was filing complaint after complaint just because he had lost the elections twice. However, the state government described Abhijit Das as a “whistleblower” i.e. the person who exposed the irregularities.
Losing the election does not end the right to complain.
Advocate Jayant Narayan Chatterjee, appearing for Abhijit Das, said that just because a person loses elections twice, his right to file a complaint does not go away. He alleged that Abhishek Banerjee has been looting the state for the last 15 years. He also claimed that the medical treatment at 'Sebashray' was being done by the students.
The lawyer said that the investigation should not be stopped and the court should not stop any common citizen from coming with a complaint. He also described Abhishek Banerjee as a “very powerful” person.
Court expressed displeasure over lawyer's attitude
Justice Bhattacharya asked Das's lawyer to present his arguments before the court through a supplementary affidavit. Also, questions were raised on the way the lawyer spoke in the court. The judge asked, why are you shouting in the court?
State government made many allegations against 'Sebashray'
Additional Advocate General Rajdeep Majumdar, appearing for the state government, told the court that expired medicines were used in the 'Sebashraya' centre. The state government also alleged that 'Sebashraya' was being operated in violation of the Clinical Establishments Act. Apart from this, there was also an allegation of investigation related to gender determination.
Court said- allegations are general, no direct connection with Abhishek
However, the court termed these allegations as general in nature and said that it did not see any direct connection between these allegations and Abhishek Banerjee.
Justice Bhattacharya said, there may be a case of medical negligence here, but what does it have to do with Abhishek Banerjee? This could be a case of negligence on the part of a doctor. You should investigate and file chargesheet.