Supreme Court Grants Abhishek Banerjee Permission For Foreign Medical Travel

The Supreme Court of India granted permission to Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee to travel abroad for necessary eye treatment. The apex court set aside a previous High Court order that had restricted the leader's movement. The bench emphasized that every individual possesses a fundamental right to choose their own medical care and seek treatment from preferred specialists. This ruling allows the Diamond Harbour MP to remain outside India for a period of three weeks for his medical procedures.

The legal battle emerged as Abhishek Banerjee sought relaxation of travel restrictions imposed during ongoing investigations by central agencies. Previously, the Calcutta High Court had placed hurdles on his foreign travel requests. Investigative agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate, have been looking into various cases involving TMC leadership, leading to the initial travel bans. However, the Supreme Court noted that medical necessity takes precedence when a citizen's health is at stake, especially for specialized ophthalmological care.

This decision serves as a significant legal victory for the TMC national general secretary amidst intense political scrutiny. In India, the ruling reinforces the judiciary's stance on personal liberty and the right to health over procedural investigative constraints. Following this order, Abhishek Banerjee is expected to finalize his travel schedule immediately to address his medical requirements. Central agencies are likely to monitor the travel duration to ensure compliance with the specific three-week timeline mandated by the court.