kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata, July 24: Trinamool Congress National General Secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee has once again found himself at the centre of a legal controversy following allegations that a recent political statement made by him was provocative and capable of inciting unrest. The controversy arose after Banerjee reportedly remarked, “If the government changes, not a single BJP party office will remain in Bengal,” while reacting to an incident involving the demolition of a Trinamool Congress party office in Amtala.

The statement, a fresh written complaint has been lodged against the TMC MP at the Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police Station. According to police sources, the complainant has alleged that Banerjee's remarks were highly provocative and sought an investigation into whether the statement could amount to incitement or disturb public order. The complaint comes amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal, where allegations and counter-allegations between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have intensified ahead of the Assembly elections.

This is not the first time that Abhishek Banerjee has faced legal scrutiny over remarks made during political speeches. Earlier, before the previous Assembly elections, complaints had also been filed regarding certain statements made by him at political rallies. Those matters remain under judicial consideration. Political observers believe that the latest complaint may further complicate the legal challenges already facing the senior Trinamool leader.

The Calcutta High Court has declined to grant Abhishek Banerjee blanket interim protection in connection with multiple criminal cases registered against him in different police stations across West Bengal following the change in the state's political landscape after the Assembly election results. However, the court directed the police to inform it before taking any stringent legal action against the MP in the pending cases.

The hearing, Justice Sougata Bhattacharya made it clear that a broad protective order covering all criminal proceedings could not be granted without separately examining the facts and circumstances of each individual case. The court observed that every complaint and FIR must be assessed independently based on its specific allegations and legal merits. The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for July 30.

Appearing virtually on behalf of Abhishek Banerjee, senior advocate Kapil Sibal informed the court that since May 4, following the formation of the BJP-led government, a total of 11 criminal cases had been registered against his client at different police stations. He argued that the cases were politically motivated and sought comprehensive protection from arrest and coercive action in all the FIRs.

Justice Bhattacharya questioned how the court could issue a sweeping order without examining the seriousness and individual nature of each complaint. In response, Kapil Sibal referred to an earlier order of the Calcutta High Court, under which current Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had received similar legal protection while serving as Leader of the Opposition. In that case, Justice Rajasekhar Mantha had stayed police action and the registration of fresh cases against Adhikari.

Justice Bhattacharya observed that the nature of the allegations against Suvendu Adhikari and the cases involving Abhishek Banerjee were different and therefore required separate consideration. The court also noted that Banerjee had already received partial protection in one pending matter.

Kapil Sibal maintained that several FIRs had been filed by members of the ruling party in a coordinated manner and argued that the cases were politically motivated. He informed the court that detailed arguments would be presented during the next hearing. Representing the state police, senior advocate K. V. Raju sought additional time to respond to the submissions. Accepting the request, the court fixed July 30 as the next date of hearing and directed the police to inform the court if any major legal action is contemplated in the meantime.

Abhishek Banerjee currently faces FIRs in multiple police stations, including Bishnupur and Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas, Bhawanipur in Kolkata, and Siliguri. The legal developments have added a new dimension to the ongoing political confrontation in West Bengal and are expected to remain a subject of intense debate in the coming days.