Kolkata, 07 July (H.S.) : The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday questioned why Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee was not cooperating with the investigation into the collection of his voice sample despite being granted judicial protection. The court observed that he should cooperate with the investigating agency and provide his voice sample.

The matter came up for hearing before the Bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya. Counsel for the State submitted that Banerjee had been summoned to provide his voice sample but failed to appear on the scheduled date. He has now been directed to appear before the Bidhannagar ACJM Court at 10 a.m. on July 8.

During the hearing, Justice Bhattacharyya remarked that Banerjee had already been granted legal protection by the court. The State argued that such protection was subject to the condition that he would fully cooperate with the investigation. It contended that despite the magistrate's direction, Banerjee had repeatedly approached the court instead of complying with the investigation process.

The State further submitted that the earlier order granting protection specifically required Banerjee to cooperate with the investigating agency, but he had failed to do so by not appearing for the voice sample examination.

The High Court also clarified that while Banerjee had been granted interim protection, there was no stay on the process of collecting his voice sample. Justice Bhattacharyya observed that there was no extraordinary urgency requiring the matter to be heard immediately.

The court advised Abhishek Banerjee to cooperate with the investigation by providing his voice sample and scheduled the next hearing in the matter for Friday.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh