Calcutta High Court Questions Influence Claims Against Abhishek Banerjee

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday questioned concerns that Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee is influential enough to hamper ongoing police investigations if he were to be extended further interim protection from arrest or custodial interrogation. The Court was hearing a plea by Banerjee claiming that a spate of politically motivated FIRs were registered against him shortly after the BJP government came to power on May 4. Justice Saugata Bhhattacharyya today orally observed that the political scenario has changed in West Bengal since a different political party is in power in West Bengal instead of the TMC.In view of the same, the judge asked whether Banerjee is still so influential that he could interfere with investigations if he is given further interim protection in the FIRs against him. The judge also recounted an instance where demolition work was initiated against a property that was being used as Banerjee's MP office, before the High Court stepped in to stall the move on a weekend. "Now situation is changed. Therefore custodial interrogation is not necessary. Due to change of political dispensation, now there is a change of scenario.... If he is so influential, how his office in Amtala is being demolished? Where a coordinate bench of the court had to interfere (to stall the demolition)? It does not support your contention that the petitioner is very influential. Whether any influential person’s office is being demolished within his constitu