Calcutta High Court grants interim protection to MP Abhishek Banerjee in three FIRs

The Calcutta High Court issued an interim order protecting Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee from coercive action in three criminal cases. The order covers FIRs filed at Bhawanipur, Kalitala and Bishnupur police stations, directing police not to take any restrictive steps against him until the matter is heard again on August 6.

Banerjee’s counsel argued that the FIRs are politically motivated, noting that a total of eleven FIRs have been lodged, eight originally and three added later, after the BJP came to power in West Bengal. The state government objected to a blanket protection order, raising procedural concerns. In addition, the court directed the police to submit a comprehensive list of all FIRs registered against Banerjee to date.