Kolkata, 5 Aug (H.S.) — In a significant development aimed at curbing escalating political rhetoric in West Bengal, a Kolkata court has barred Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, from making any defamatory statements against Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The interim order will remain in force until August 19.

The directive was issued on Tuesday by the Civil Judge of the 8th Court in Alipore, in connection with a civil defamation suit filed by Banerjee. In his plea, the Diamond Harbour MP alleged that Adhikari made several derogatory and false statements about him during a press conference at the BJP office in Kolkata on July 26. Banerjee sought an injunction to prevent Adhikari from making similar remarks in the future.

During the hearing, Banerjee’s counsel argued that the comments had caused serious harm to his client’s reputation. After reviewing the matter, the court observed that there was a prima facie case for trial. The order explicitly restrains Adhikari from making, publishing, or causing to be published any defamatory remarks—whether oral or written—against Banerjee through any medium.

The court also noted that while both leaders enjoy public stature, they have a long-standing political rivalry. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for August 19, the same day the interim order will expire.

Suvendu Adhikari, a prominent BJP leader, rose to prominence after defeating Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the high-profile Nandigram Assembly election. Abhishek Banerjee, widely regarded as the second most influential leader in the TMC, is the nephew of the Chief Minister. The two leaders have been engaged in sharp political exchanges for several years, with their disputes frequently spilling into the legal arena.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh