Kolkata High Court Denies Urgent Hearing on Abhishek Banerjees Plea Against Investigative Leaks

Kolkata, October 13 (Daily Kiran) : The Kolkata High Court has refused to conduct an immediate hearing on a petition filed by Abhishek Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress general secretary and MP from Diamond Harbour. He sought to prevent the publication of news related to ongoing investigations by various state and central agencies against him.

Justice Sougato Bhattacharya stated that given the current circumstances, an urgent hearing was not feasible. The court’s schedule indicates that the matter will likely be heard in November or December of this year.

Last week, Banerjee filed the petition before a single bench led by Justice Krishna Rao. Although Justice Rao recused himself from the case, he did not dismiss the petition and advised Banerjee to approach an appropriate bench. The petition claims that investigative agencies have been leaking information to the media.

Following this, Banerjee’s lawyer requested an urgent hearing before Justice Bhattacharya, arguing that significant details related to the investigation have been leaked and published, subjecting his client to a “media trial.”

However, Justice Bhattacharya did not grant the request for immediate consideration, clarifying that the case would be heard according to the court’s regular schedule.

Abhishek Banerjee has been facing scrutiny from central investigative agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), regarding various matters. Since the change of power in West Bengal following the state assembly elections earlier this year, state agencies, including the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), have also initiated investigations related to him. CID officials have questioned Banerjee multiple times in connection with these inquiries.

Banerjee’s lawyer alleges that crucial information, including questions posed during interrogations, has been leaked to the media. The petition also expresses concern over reports concerning Banerjee’s foreign trips and other personal matters, arguing that these are unrelated to the investigations.

The lawyer contends that the publication of such news violates Banerjee’s right to personal privacy and adversely affects his dignity and reputation. The petition seeks to prevent the publication of news regarding the investigations and the potential exposure of personal information. However, the court did not accept the request for an expedited hearing, and the case will now proceed through the regular court process.