Calcutta High Court bars coercive action against TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee in 3 cases

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, barred police from taking coercive action against Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee in three criminal cases until November 30, 2026, ruling that his custodial interrogation was not necessary. The order provides interim protection to the Diamond Harbour MP while the investigations proceed.

Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya directed that the police must give Banerjee at least 48 hours' notice before requiring his appearance for questioning. The court specified that if Banerjee does not cooperate with the investigation, authorities may approach the court to modify or vacate the protection order. The bench also directed the police to file a progress report on the investigation in the three cases when the matter is scheduled for hearing again on November 23.

The protection applies to three specific First Information Reports (FIRs) registered at the Bhawanipore, Kalitala Ashuti, and Bishnupur police stations. Banerjee had filed a petition seeking to quash a total of 16 FIRs, claiming they were politically motivated and registered after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in West Bengal following the Assembly elections...