Kolkata, July 30 -- The Calcutta High Court on Thursday restrained the West Bengal Police from taking any coercive action against Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee in connection with three criminal cases registered between May 27 and June 16, while directing the authorities to place before it details of all FIRs presently pending against him.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya passed the interim order after hearing Banerjee's plea that multiple criminal cases had been lodged against him following the change of government in the state. The matter will be heard again on August 6. Banerjee's counsel, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, argued that a series of FIRs had been filed over incidents dating back several years, including allegations relating to cyclone Amphan relief distribution and illegal mining. He contended that the complaints disclosed no prima facie offence against his client and questioned the delay in initiating criminal proceedings.
The state, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, opposed the petition, arguing that several FIRs could not be challenged through a single proceeding and that any request for protection from arrest should be pursued through anticipatory bail. They also maintained that delay alone could not invalidate criminal cases, particularly where earlier circumstances may have discouraged the registration of complaints.
The court limited its interim protection to the three FIRs specifically detailed in the petition
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.