New Delhi, August 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court on Monday allowed Trinamool Congress general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee to travel abroad for three weeks for ophthalmic treatment, overturning the Calcutta High Court’s refusal to relax restrictions imposed on his overseas travel.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana permitted Banerjee’s appeal subject to conditions. He has been directed to travel only on his diplomatic passport and provide the investigating agency with details of his itinerary and place of stay abroad.
The Bench indicated that it was not inclined to accept the objections raised by the West Bengal government, observing that an individual has the right to travel abroad and choose where to obtain medical treatment.
Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the West Bengal government, opposed the plea, citing several cases registered against Banerjee and expressing apprehension that he might not return to India.
Raju said the state had no objection to Banerjee receiving treatment overseas but argued that the medical necessity of such treatment should first be established through an evaluation. He also submitted that Banerjee’s refusal to appear before a medical board constituted by the Calcutta High Court should lead to an adverse inference.
Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing Banerjee, told the court that his client currently holds only a diplomatic passport, issued in connection with Operation Sindoor outreach, and that the concerned embassies could monitor his movements during the trip.
He further argued that there was no likelihood of Banerjee absconding, pointing to his position as a Lok Sabha member and general secretary of a national political party, besides his family being based in India.
The Supreme Court directed Banerjee to furnish details of his travel plans, including his foreign residence, treating doctors or hospital, duration of stay and flight details. The Bench said the information could be accessed by investigating agencies for their purposes but would remain confidential.
Banerjee, the Diamond Harbour MP, had moved the Supreme Court after the Calcutta High Court on August 5 rejected his application seeking permission to travel abroad for eye treatment. The High Court had declined relief after his counsel informed it that Banerjee would not appear before a medical board at the state-run S.S.K.M. Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata to assess his condition and determine the need for treatment abroad.
On August 3, the Supreme Court had disposed of Banerjee’s challenge to the High Court’s refusal to grant immediate permission, asking the High Court to decide the matter expeditiously.
The case stems from a criminal proceeding in which Banerjee has been accused of making provocative and violence-inciting remarks during campaigning for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. The restriction on his foreign travel was imposed as a condition of interim protection from arrest.
Banerjee had first approached the Calcutta High Court on June 23 seeking permission for a seven-day overseas trip for ophthalmic treatment. He told the court that he had been receiving treatment in the United States for nearly a decade following a serious eye injury sustained in a road accident in October 2016.
The accident occurred while Banerjee was returning to Kolkata from a political programme in Murshidabad district. He subsequently received treatment at hospitals in India and abroad.
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