Calcutta High Court Grants Protection to Abhishek Banerjee
The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed that TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee should not be subjected to incidents like egg pelting and granted him protection. The court also ordered Banerjee to provide his voice sample to a judicial magistrate on July 15 in connection with a case involving alleged intimidatory statements made during the West Bengal assembly election campaign.
Voice Sample Order in Intimidation Case
The directive came during a hearing of a petition filed by Banerjee seeking quashing of an FIR lodged against him. The FIR pertains to statements he allegedly made that were deemed intimidatory during the 2021 West Bengal assembly elections. According to court records, the complaint alleged that Banerjee's remarks could incite violence and disrupt public order.
Justice Debangsu Basak, presiding over the single bench, instructed Banerjee to appear before the judicial magistrate on July 15 to submit his voice sample. The sample will be used for forensic analysis to compare with audio recordings cited in the complaint. The court also restrained authorities from taking any coercive action against Banerjee until the next hearing.
Protection from Physical Attacks
In addition to the voice sample order, the court observed that Banerjee should not be victimized by physical attacks such as egg pelting. The judge noted that while legal proceedings must continue, the MP's safety and dignity must be upheld. Banerjee's counsel argued that his client had faced threats and harassment, including past incidents of egg throwing at public events.
The court's protection order extends to ensuring that no unlawful actions are taken against Banerjee during the pendency of the case. However, the judge clarified that this does not prevent law enforcement from conducting a fair investigation.
Background of the Case
The case stems from a complaint filed by a BJP worker, who accused Banerjee of making inflammatory speeches during the 2021 assembly election campaign. The complainant claimed that Banerjee's statements were intended to intimidate opposition supporters and could lead to violence. Banerjee has denied the allegations, stating that his remarks were taken out of context.
The High Court's decision to order a voice sample is seen as a step toward establishing the authenticity of the alleged recordings. Banerjee's legal team has maintained that the voice in the audio clips does not belong to him.
Next Hearing Scheduled
The court has listed the matter for further hearing on July 22, after the voice sample submission. Banerjee is expected to comply with the order, and the forensic report will be submitted to the court for review. The case continues to draw political attention, with TMC leaders rallying behind Banerjee, calling the FIR a politically motivated vendetta.
