Kolkata, 20 July (H.S.): The Calcutta High Court on Monday declined to grant immediate permission to Trinamool Congress National General Secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee to travel abroad for eye treatment. The court directed that he must first undergo a medical examination by a specialist board at the state-run SSKM Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

Justice Sougata Bhattacharya passed the order while hearing a case related to allegations that Banerjee delivered an inflammatory speech during the West Bengal Assembly election campaign.

During the hearing, Banerjee's counsel sought permission for him to travel overseas for specialised ophthalmic treatment, submitting that he had been receiving treatment in the United States for the past ten years. The court, however, asked whether he had recently consulted any eye specialist in India.

The High Court directed that a medical board, to be headed by the Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at SSKM Medical College and Hospital, examine Banerjee and submit its report. The court said it would decide on the request for foreign travel only after considering the board's findings. The matter is scheduled to be heard again in August.

Opposing the plea, the West Bengal government argued that several cases are pending against Banerjee, including the alleged inflammatory speech case. Additional Advocate General Rajdeep Majumdar submitted that permitting him to travel abroad at this stage could affect the ongoing investigation and judicial proceedings.

After hearing both sides, the High Court refused to grant immediate permission for overseas treatment. However, it extended the interim protection granted to Banerjee against arrest or any coercive police action in the inflammatory speech case until October. The court also directed him to cooperate fully with the investigation and asked the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to expedite the probe.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh