The Calcutta High Court on Monday directed the West Bengal Police to submit an affidavit within four weeks in connection with a plea challenging the early morning raid conducted at the residence of Trinamool Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee in South Kolkata earlier this month. The court also ordered that all CCTV footage and audio-visual records related to the operation be preserved.
The directive was issued by a single-judge bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharya, which is hearing a petition alleging procedural lapses and excessive force during the June 13 raid. The court further instructed the petitioner to file a counter-affidavit within two weeks after the state police submit their response. The matter will proceed after both sides complete their filings.
The case pertains to a joint operation carried out at around 3 a.m. by personnel from Salboni Police Station under West Midnapore district police, Kolkata Police, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). The search was conducted at Banerjee’s residence on Kalighat Road in connection with the alleged presence of his executive assistant, Sumit Roy, who is currently absconding in a separate matter.
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During the hearing, arguments were presented by senior counsel representing Abhishek Banerjee, who is also the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The counsel contended that the raid was conducted without a search warrant and that Banerjee’s name did not appear in the complaint, which primarily concerned Sumit Roy. The petition alleges that the police acted on suspicion that the accused might be present at the residence.
The state government, however, defended the operation, arguing that the search was undertaken based on credible apprehension that the absconding individual might attempt to evade arrest. Officials maintained that the action was necessary under the circumstances, while the court examined whether proper legal procedures were followed during the raid.
The High Court’s interim directions focus on ensuring transparency in the investigation process while maintaining evidentiary records. The matter has drawn significant political attention given Banerjee’s position within the Trinamool Congress and his prominence in West Bengal politics, with further hearings expected after the submission of affidavits from both sides.
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