Why US? HC suggests Abhishek to go to SSKM for treatment; Extends protection till Oct 6 in DJ Comment case

Abhishek Banerjee faced a significant setback from the Calcutta High Court on Monday. A single-judge bench presided over by Justice Saugata Bhattacharya formally extended Banerjee's interim legal protection until October 6 in a case connected to his controversial 'DJ' remarks made during an assembly election campaign. However, the court explicitly ruled that despite the extension of this protective window, the political leader cannot travel outside the country without securing specific judicial clearances.

The parliamentarian was scheduled to fly to the United States on July 29 to undergo a routine medical checkup and treatment for an ongoing eye ailment. While seeking a relaxation of travel constraints from the high court, his legal counsel presented the medical itinerary. Challenging the necessity of the international trip, the bench questioned why an overseas visit was essential when advanced ophthalmic treatment options remain accessible within Kolkata. Justice Bhattacharya advised Banerjee to utilize local state-run medical facilities instead of traveling abroad.

The court further directed that the TMC leader must initially undergo a comprehensive eye evaluation at the state-run SSKM Hospital in Kolkata and subsequently submit the resulting medical report to the bench. The judiciary noted that a final decision regarding any future foreign travel permissions would be evaluated only after reviewing this institutional report. Banerjee had sustained a severe injury to his left eye during a road mishap on the Dankuni Highway in 2016, requiring periodic medical follow-ups that he historically received in Singapore and the United States.