Calcutta HC Denies Immediate Hearing for Abhishek Banerjee's Foreign Eye Treatment Plea

Top Summary

• What happened: The Calcutta High Court declined to grant immediate relief to Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee, who sought permission to travel abroad for specialized eye treatment.
• Why it matters: This decision affects a prominent Indian political leader's urgent health treatment plans and underscores the court's standard procedures for listing cases, prioritizing domestic facilities.
• What changes: For **Abhishek Banerjee**, his immediate plans for overseas eye treatment are deferred. The court has directed the matter to be listed through normal channels in July.
• Who is affected: **Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee** is directly impacted by the court's refusal to grant an immediate hearing for his medical travel plea.

High Court Rejects Urgent Plea

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday denied immediate relief to **Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee**. Banerjee had approached the court seeking permission to travel abroad for specialized eye treatment, an area where he had previously undergone surgery.

The plea was presented before Justice Sougata Bhattacharya. Banerjee's legal counsel emphasized the urgency of the matter, citing the need for immediate medical attention following earlier surgical intervention.

Arguments for Expedition

Banerjee's lawyer argued strongly for the petition's immediate consideration. They highlighted that the court had previously granted interim protection to the TMC leader in other proceedings, which they felt supported the case for urgent hearing.

“My Lord, this matter is important. This Court has given him interim protection. His eye has undergone surgery, and he has to go abroad for treatment,” the lawyer submitted to the court.

Court Cites Domestic Facilities

Despite the counsel's insistence on urgency, the court firmly rejected the request for an immediate hearing. The bench indicated that there was no compelling reason to deviate from the standard listing process.

“No, several facilities are available here for the petitioner. It will come in July’s monthly list. Talk about it on Monday,” the Court stated, directing the normal course of action.

The court asserted that adequate medical facilities are available within the country to address Banerjee's eye condition. This stance negated the necessity for an urgent listing of the matter.

Banerjee's Request and Court's Decision

Banerjee had specifically petitioned the High Court for authorization to travel overseas to seek advanced treatment for his ocular issues. However, the court did not concur with the premise that the case warranted an expedited listing.

Ultimately, the High Court directed that the application be processed according to its standard operational procedures. This means the matter will not be heard immediately but will follow the regular judicial calendar.

What to Watch Next

The case is now slated for discussion on Monday and will be included in the court's July monthly list. Future proceedings will determine if **Abhishek Banerjee** ultimately secures permission for his overseas medical treatment or opts for domestic facilities for his eye care.