Kolkata, 05 August (H.S.): The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday declined to grant immediate permission to Trinamool Congress National General Secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee to travel abroad for eye treatment, directing him instead to undergo a medical evaluation at the state-run SSKM Hospital.

Hearing the matter, the single bench of Justice Sougata Bhattacharya directed Banerjee to appear before the Ophthalmology Department of SSKM Hospital on Thursday. The court ordered the Head of the department to constitute a medical board to assess his condition and submit its report before the court on Friday.

Banerjee had sought permission to travel overseas for specialised treatment of his eye condition. The matter was heard by the Supreme Court on Monday, where a Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohan referred the case back to the Calcutta High Court for consideration.

During an earlier hearing on July 20, the High Court had asked whether Banerjee had sought medical advice from any eye hospital in Kolkata. His counsel informed the court that he had already been undergoing treatment in the United States.

The State government opposed Banerjee's plea, arguing that several cases against him are currently under investigation and that permitting him to travel abroad could affect the probe.

After hearing both sides, the High Court directed that Banerjee first undergo an examination by the medical board at SSKM Hospital. The court observed that if the board concludes that the required treatment is not available in Kolkata and overseas treatment is medically necessary, its opinion will be taken into consideration before any further decision is made.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh