Trinamool Congress Leader Abhishek Banerjee has approached the Calcutta High Court seeking permission to travel abroad for medical treatment, coming at a time when the ruling party is grappling with significant internal political instability following a dismal performance in the assembly elections.
The Diamond Harbour MP moved the vacation bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya on Tuesday, requesting a week-long window to travel overseas for urgent treatment regarding an ongoing eye condition. The matter is expected to come up for a hearing on Wednesday.
Legal Hurdles and Prior Precedents
Banerjee’s move to seek judicial clearance stems from a prior Calcutta High Court directive linked to an alleged provocative speech case during the 2026 election campaign, which explicitly bars him from leaving the country without prior approval from the court.
This is not the first time the TMC second-in-command has had to navigate legal channels for foreign travel. Given multiple ongoing investigations by both central and state agencies, Banerjee and his wife, Rujira, were previously directed by the Supreme Court to notify the Enforcement Directorate (ED) prior to any international travel. On earlier occasions, after receiving the apex court’s clearance, he had traveled abroad for specialized medical care.
A Decade-Long Medical History
The requirement for specialized treatment dates back to October 19, 2016, when Banerjee survived a severe car accident on the Durgapur Expressway near Singur while returning from a political rally in Murshidabad. The crash left him with multiple facial fractures, most notably a severe orbital fracture beneath his left eye.
Despite undergoing complex surgical procedures and receiving specialized medical attention over the years in Hyderabad, Dubai, Singapore, and the United States, he continues to suffer from persistent ophthalmic complications.
Unprecedented Party Crisis
The timing of Banerjee’s requested departure coincides with severe turbulence within the Trinamool Congress. Following a major election debacle, internal dissent has mounted, with several party factions pointing fingers at his leadership and strategy.
Furthermore, the development comes amidst intense speculation surrounding the party’s core identity, with brewing uncertainty over whether the party name and its official ‘twin flowers’ symbol will remain securely under Mamata Banerjee’s control. The High Court’s upcoming decision on his travel plea remains highly anticipated amidst this fragile political backdrop.