Kolkata, The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed the police not to take any coercive steps against TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee in three criminal cases against him till November 30, holding that custodial interrogation is not necessary.
The court directed the Diamond Harbour MP not to travel abroad without permission of the high court. Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya clarified that the permission granted to Banerjee by the Supreme Court for going abroad for three weeks for medical reasons would not be curtailed by this order. He directed that the police authorities concerned may move this court for variation or vacation of the order if Banerjee does not cooperate with the investigations.
Holding that custodial interrogation of the TMC leader in connection with the three cases is not necessary, the court directed the police not to take any coercive steps against him till November 30. Justice Bhattacharyya directed the police to file a progress report on the investigation in the three cases when the matter will be taken up for hearing again on November 23. The high court had on June 30 granted interim protection to Banerjee from coercive steps by the police in connection with three FIRs lodged against him at Bhowanipore, Bishnupur and Kalitala police stations.
Banerjee was directed to cooperate with the investigation and comply with notices issued in connection with the three cases.
