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Abhishek Banerjee gets major relief from Supreme Court, gets permission to go abroad for 3 weeks for treatment

Samira Vishwas | August 10, 2026 8:24 PM CST

New Delhi: Trinamool Congress (TMC) General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee received a major relief from the Supreme Court. On Monday, the Supreme Court granted him permission to travel abroad for three weeks for eye treatment. The Supreme Court also overturned the Calcutta High Court’s decision banning foreign travel.

Who delivered the decision?

According to reports, this order was issued by a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant. The bench also included Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana. Abhishek Banerjee had challenged the Calcutta High Court’s decision in the Supreme Court, which had denied him permission to travel abroad for treatment.

Why did the High Court not grant permission?

On August 5, the Calcutta High Court dismissed Banerjee’s petition regarding foreign travel. During the hearing, the court noted that Banerjee was unwilling to appear before a medical board constituted to assess his health at a government hospital in Kolkata. The High Court stated that if Banerjee had appeared before a medical board for examination, the experts’ report would have helped determine whether it was truly necessary for him to travel abroad for treatment.

The Supreme Court had previously issued instructions

Previously, on August 3, the Supreme Court directed the Calcutta High Court to hear Abhishek Banerjee’s petition seeking permission to travel abroad within a week. The High Court subsequently heard the matter, but did not grant him permission. This case relates to alleged remarks made at a public gathering during the West Bengal Assembly elections. An FIR was filed against Banerjee in this matter, and his travel abroad was conditioned on court permission.

Interim relief granted until October 6

In this case, the High Court has also granted Abhishek Banerjee interim protection from punitive action, such as arrest. This relief was stated to remain in effect until October 6 or until further orders, whichever is earlier. However, the court directed him to cooperate with the investigation. Additionally, the previous order also imposed a condition prohibiting foreign travel without court permission.

Now, following the Supreme Court’s latest order, Abhishek Banerjee will be able to travel abroad for three weeks for eye treatment. Further legal proceedings will continue on the petition seeking quashing of the FIR filed against him.