KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday dismissed Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee's plea seeking permission to travel abroad for his eye treatment.
The court directed Banerjee to visit the state government-run SSKM Hospital as well as the Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research (IPGME&R) by Thursday.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya, while hearing the plea today, observed that the court, not being a medical expert, required an independent medical opinion before deciding whether his eye treatment is indispensable abroad.
The court directed to form a special medical board comprising experts, headed by an ophthalmologist at SSKM Hospital, for thorough check-ups and treatment of his eyes.
The medical board would furnish an opinion before the bench whether it was necessary for him to go abroad or if the treatment can be administered in India.
Rebecca John, senior advocate appearing for Abhishek, argued that her client wished to continue his treatment with the specialist who had previously operated on him in the United States. She informed the court that Abhishek refused to undergo his eye treatment at the SSKM Hospital.
Justice Bhattacharyya also made an important observation while denying Abhishek permission to travel abroad, noting that several petitions filed against him are pending before the court.
The state opposed Abhishek's plea to travel abroad, arguing that there was no medical emergency requiring overseas treatment. The lawyer appearing for the state submitted that the ongoing investigations in different cases against Abhishek would be affected if he were allowed to travel abroad.
During the hearing, the court repeatedly observed that if the treatment could be effectively provided in India, there was no necessity for Abhishek to travel outside the country. “It is important for him to get treatment but if it can be done in Kolkata or anywhere in India then there is no need to go abroad…..whether it is abroad is immaterial. It is ensured that he will get appropriate treatment,” the court observed.
Abhishek's advocate argued that the criminal cases pending against him carried a maximum punishment of three years, with most being bailable offences. The advocate also submitted that Abhishek had previously been permitted to travel abroad for treatment when the Enforcement Directorate was conducting proceedings against him. She added that he had travelled overseas in 2023 and 2025 and returned to India.
“I have always gone abroad and come back. I have my wife and two children in Calcutta. I am an MP with a diplomatic passport. Every movement can be checked by the state,” the advocate said in the court on behalf of her client, Abhishek.
A few days ago, the Supreme Court had directed the High Court to dispose of Abhishek's petition seeking permission to travel abroad within a week. Following the apex court's direction, the High Court heard the matter today.
