Top Court Clears Abhishek Banerjee's Overseas Trip For Specialized Eye Treatment

The Supreme Court on Monday allowed Trinamool Congress MP and party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee to travel abroad for three weeks in September for eye treatment. The court's decision came after the Calcutta High Court had earlier refused to grant him urgent permission to leave India, citing the availability of medical treatment within the country. The Supreme Court said an individual has the right to travel abroad and choose where to receive medical treatment. "Every individual has a right to travel abroad. Every individual has a right to choose his medical treatment.

That is not for you to decide," the Supreme Court observed while allowing Banerjee's request. The permission, however, is subject to conditions intended to ensure that authorities have complete information about his travel and medical arrangements. The court directed Banerjee to furnish details including his travel itinerary, flight information, place of stay and the names and details of the doctors and hospital where he plans to undergo treatment. The directions will enable the authorities to keep track of his travel during the period for which permission has been granted.

Banerjee is facing a police case linked to alleged intimidatory statements he is accused of making during the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election campaign. The case has become relevant to his request to travel abroad, with the permission sought while proceedings connected with the allegations remain pending. Banerjee has denied wrongdoing, and the allegations against him remain subject to legal proceedings. The Supreme Court's order came after the Calcutta High Court on August 5 declined to grant Banerjee urgent permission to travel abroad for the proposed eye treatment.

Also Read: Calcutta HC Denies Abhishek Banerjee's Plea to Travel Abroad For Treatment

A single bench of Justice Sougata Bhattacharya had said it did not find a sufficient reason for the 40-year-old politician to leave the country when medical procedures were available in India. The matter was subsequently taken to the Supreme Court, where Banerjee sought permission to travel for the treatment. The apex court took a different view, stressing an individual's right to choose medical treatment and permitting him to travel for the specified period. The court's conditions require Banerjee to provide detailed information about his itinerary and medical arrangements.

Banerjee, who is West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew, is one of the TMC's most prominent leaders and serves as the party's national general secretary. His political activities have made him a key figure in West Bengal politics, particularly during the recent Assembly election campaign. The permission granted by the Supreme Court is limited to the proposed three-week period in September. Banerjee will be required to comply with the conditions imposed by the court concerning his travel and treatment. The order does not affect the underlying police case against him, which will continue according to the applicable legal process.

The ruling also underscores the distinction between an accused person's right to seek medical treatment and the legal proceedings they may be facing. While the Supreme Court has permitted Banerjee to travel abroad for treatment, the conditions attached to the permission are intended to ensure transparency regarding his movements and medical arrangements. Banerjee's travel will now depend on the schedule and arrangements submitted to the authorities, including details of the hospital and doctors providing the treatment. The Supreme Court's decision allows him to seek the eye treatment abroad while leaving the police case and related proceedings unaffected.

Also Read: Calcutta High Court Rejects Plea Seeking Protection For Abhishek Banerjee Aide