Calcutta HC Dismisses Abhishek's Foreign Travel Plea For Eye Care
The judge also noted advancements in medical science in the country for his suggestion.
Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday dismissed Diamond Harbour Trinamul Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee’s fresh petition to travel abroad for his eye treatment following his unwillingness to avail it in West Bengal. The HC's order came after the Supreme Court recently sent back Mr Banerjee's plea to the HC and directed it to dispose of the matter within a week.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharya of the HC, who heard the young TMC MP’s latest prayer submitted by his counsel Rebecca John, initially suggested for a first-hand assessment of his eye condition by a three member-medical board of the ophthalmology department at SSKM Hospital in the city to check whether the treatment can be availed here instead of overseas.
The judge also noted advancements in medical science in the country for his suggestion. He then observed several criminal cases pending against Mr Banerjee in view of his foreign travel on medical grounds after Ms John pointed out her client's continuous overseas treatment at John Hopkins and urged the HC to allow his forthcoming visit under strict conditions, if needed.
Additional advocate general Rajdeep Majumdar also opposed Mr Banerjee's foreign travel, arguing that there was no medical emergency for him. Later the HC stated, “In view of submission by the counsel for the applicant (on instructions) that he will not appear before the medical board as indicated by this court, this court finds the issue which is agitated by filing the application ought not to be kept pending further. Hence, the present application is dismissed.”