Court on Abhishek’s plea to travel abroad for eye care: ‘Can’t it be treated in Kolkata?’

To which, the court observed whether Banerjee’s eye treatment cannot be done in Kolkata.

The judge remarked, “Application I will hear separately. As an investigation is going on, unless it is a medical issue that cannot be resolved in our city, I will not permit to leave abroad. Your eye issue cannot be addressed by a hospital or institute in Kolkata?”

While Abhishek Banerjee’s counsel stated that he has been cooperating with the investigations and has been going abroad for treatment for the past 10 years, the Court observed, “Please go on cooperating. There are several issues. If your health issue is such that it cannot be addressed or treated in Kolkata, only then will the court permit. In order to satisfy the conscience of the court, let him appear before a medical board.”

“Are you ready to appear before the Head of Ophthalmology of SSKM Hospital? I will ask the Head of Ophthalmology SSKM to constitute a medical board and assess the petitioner. He will appear on a particular day and time. Medical experts will opine, (and) then the report of the board will be placed before the court. If the report says your eye problem is such that you have to travel abroad for treatment, then the court will decide,” the judge remarked.

Abhishek Banerjee’s counsel stated that they have the personal liberty to choose the place of treatment.

While Majumdar argued that allowing the TMC MP to travel abroad could affect ongoing legal proceedings, as several important cases involving him, including the alleged hate speech case, are still pending.

The court stated that the matter regarding Abhishek Banerjee traveling abroad will be heard in the monthly list of August.

After skipping two appearances, Abhishek Banerjee had appeared before the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Bidhannagar Court on July 15 to record his voice sample as per the order of the Court.