Calcutta High Court Grants Abhishek Banerjee Protection From Arrest

The Calcutta High Court granted Abhishek Banerjee, the Member of Parliament for Diamond Harbour and national general secretary of the All India Trinamool Congress, interim protection from arrest in three criminal cases. Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya ruled that custodial interrogation is not necessary and directed police to avoid coercive steps against Banerjee until November 30.

As part of the order, the court required investigators to provide at least 48 hours' notice for any required appearances and ordered police to file a progress report on the investigations by November 23. The legal proceedings include cases related to a speech allegedly made during an election campaign.

While the court generally prohibited Banerjee from traveling abroad without permission, Justice Bhattacharyya clarified that this restriction does not override a previous August 10 order from the Supreme Court of India, which allows Banerjee to travel for medical treatment.