Abhishek Banerjee Denied Permission to Travel Abroad for Eye Treatment, Asked to Visit SSKM

Abhishek Banerjee Foreign Travel Permission has once again become a matter of judicial scrutiny, with the Calcutta High Court declining to allow the Trinamool Congress leader to travel abroad for eye treatment.

On Wednesday, Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya directed Abhishek Banerjee to appear at SSKM Hospital on Thursday for a medical examination. A medical board will be constituted to assess his condition, and the board has been directed to submit its report before the High Court on Friday.

The order came during the hearing of Banerjee's plea seeking permission to travel to the United States for medical treatment.

High Court Directs Abhishek Banerjee to SSKM Hospital

The court directed Abhishek Banerjee to undergo an examination at SSKM Hospital instead of travelling abroad for treatment.

According to submissions made during the hearing, Banerjee's counsel said that his client was not willing to visit SSKM Hospital on Thursday and wanted to continue his treatment abroad without interruption.

However, the court observed that it was not a medical expert and that the question before it was primarily related to the necessity of foreign travel.

The court emphasised that the applicant's medical treatment was important, while the specific location of treatment was a separate issue.

The medical board at SSKM is now expected to provide an assessment that could help determine the next course of action.

Why Did Abhishek Banerjee Seek Permission to Travel Abroad?

Abhishek Banerjee had sought permission to travel to the United States for treatment of an eye-related condition.

His foreign travel, however, requires judicial permission because several cases are pending against him in India. He therefore approached the Calcutta High Court seeking permission to leave the country for medical treatment.

He was scheduled to travel to the United States on July 29.

During an earlier hearing on July 20, the court had questioned why he needed to travel abroad when medical facilities for eye treatment were available in Kolkata.

The court had specifically referred to SSKM Hospital and indicated that a medical board could be constituted there if necessary.

Supreme Court Had Sent the Matter Back to High Court

The issue subsequently reached the Supreme Court after Abhishek Banerjee challenged the earlier High Court proceedings.

Following the Supreme Court's directions, the matter returned to the Calcutta High Court for consideration.
The High Court has now directed that Banerjee's medical condition first be assessed by doctors at SSKM Hospital.

Medical Board to Submit Report on Friday

A medical board is expected to examine Banerjee at SSKM Hospital on Thursday. The board will then submit its report to the High Court on Friday.

The report could become an important factor in determining whether any further consideration of his request for foreign treatment is warranted.

Court Refers to Pending Cases Against Abhishek Banerjee

During the hearing, the court also referred to multiple cases pending against Abhishek Banerjee.

The court noted that an FIR registered at Hare Street Police Station is being considered before another bench, where Banerjee has received interim protection. Investigations in the relevant matters are continuing. The court also referred to another case involving three FIRs, which was scheduled for hearing on Thursday.

Against this backdrop, the court said it did not find sufficient grounds at this stage to permit foreign travel.

High Court Decides Not to Continue the Matter

The court indicated that it did not find a compelling reason for Abhishek Banerjee to travel abroad for treatment at this stage.

The matter therefore faced another setback for the TMC leader, with the court deciding not to keep the application pending.

The immediate focus will now be on the medical examination at SSKM Hospital and the report of the medical board.

The next significant development is expected on Friday, when the SSKM medical board submits its report to the Calcutta High Court.

The report will provide an assessment of Banerjee's medical condition and could influence any subsequent legal request concerning his treatment.

For now, Abhishek Banerjee Foreign Travel Permission remains denied, and the court has directed him to undergo medical evaluation at SSKM Hospital.

The case highlights the intersection of medical treatment requirements and judicial restrictions arising from pending legal proceedings. Any further decision regarding foreign travel will depend on the court's consideration of the medical evidence and the circumstances of the pending cases.