Calcutta High Court Dismisses Abhishek Banerjee's Plea to Travel Abroad

• The Calcutta High Court dismissed Abhishek Banerjee's plea to travel abroad for eye treatment.
• Justice Saugata Bhattacharya proposed a medical assessment by a board at SSKM hospital before allowing foreign travel.
• Banerjee's choice of treatment was weighed against his ongoing criminal cases, leading the Court to deny permission for foreign travel.
• The decision may have implications for lawyers representing clients with pending criminal cases in India.

"In view of submission by the counsel for the applicant (on instructions) that he will not appear before the medical board as indicated by this court, this court finds the issue which is agitated by filing the application ought not to be kept pending further. Hence, present application is dismissed," the Court said.

The Calcutta High Court has dismissed the plea of Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament (MP) Abhishek Banerjee to travel abroad for eye treatment. This decision was made after Justice Saugata Bhattacharya proposed that Banerjee's eye condition be assessed by a medical board at SSKM hospital to determine if eye treatment could be availed in India.

The Court noted that Banerjee's choice of treatment must be weighed against the fact that he is facing several ongoing criminal cases. In this context, the Court indicated its reluctance to allow foreign travel without first assessing Banerjee's eye condition in India.

The dismissal of Banerjee's plea highlights the Calcutta High Court's cautious approach to granting permission for foreign travel in cases where individuals are facing ongoing criminal investigations. This decision may have implications for lawyers representing clients with pending criminal cases in India, who should be aware that a medical assessment may be required before allowing foreign travel.

The Court's decision also underscores the importance of considering the local availability of medical treatment when evaluating requests for foreign travel. In Banerjee's case, the Court suggested that his eye condition could potentially be treated in India, rendering foreign travel unnecessary.

The Calcutta High Court's dismissal of Abhishek Banerjee's plea to travel abroad for eye treatment has significant implications for individuals facing ongoing criminal investigations. The decision highlights the importance of considering local medical options and the potential for delayed or denied requests for foreign travel.

This ruling may also have broader implications for the administration of justice in India, as it underscores the need for courts to carefully weigh the interests of individuals seeking foreign travel against the requirements of ongoing investigations.

Lawyers representing clients with pending criminal cases in India should be aware that the Calcutta High Court may require a medical assessment before allowing foreign travel, potentially delaying or denying such requests.

Source: Original reporting via The Calcutta High Court