The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Calcutta High Court to consider Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee's application seeking interim relief against media reporting on the investigations and cases against him, in which he has alleged that the dissemination of investigation-related information is leading to a media trial, Live Law reported.

Source: Live Law

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was hearing Banerjee's special leave petition, Abhishek Banerjee v. Union of India and Ors. [SLP (Crl.) No. 20945/2026]. The bench noted that the Calcutta High Court reopens on November 16, 2026, after the Durga Puja and Diwali holidays, and ordered: "The Petitioner shall be at liberty to bring to the notice of the bench, the immediate on opening of the court," requesting the High Court to consider the prayer for interim relief at the earliest, Verdictum reported.

Source: Verdictum

What Banerjee argued

Senior Advocate Shoeb Alam, appearing for Banerjee, told the Supreme Court that the writ petition was filed before the Calcutta High Court at the end of September, but the court found the matter did not fall within its roster. He said he had mentioned the matter three times after that without it being taken up, and described what he called a continuing violation of Banerjee's rights. "I am fighting a pernicious media trial... Every day, there is some or the other news article which is being put out," Alam submitted, according to Verdictum's account of the hearing.

Alam argued that repeated judicial pronouncements have held that the presumption of innocence cannot be undermined through media trials, and said Banerjee was making several prayers, including take-down orders against reports. He told the court that all relevant steps had already been taken before the High Court and that he would make another request there for urgent consideration, Live Law reported.

Source: Live Law

What the plea seeks

Banerjee has sought directions to prevent the publication of reports concerning matters forming part of ongoing investigations against him, along with relief against the alleged dissemination of investigation-related information, according to the reports. The allegations of leaks by investigating agencies are Banerjee's claims in his petition; no court has recorded a finding on them. LawBeat, in its account, framed the order as the Supreme Court refusing to consider the application itself and leaving it to the High Court.

Source: LawBeat

Verdictum also noted that the Calcutta High Court had recently directed the police not to take any coercive steps against Banerjee in three criminal cases against him till November 30, holding that custodial interrogation was not necessary, and had directed the Diamond Harbour MP not to travel abroad without the High Court's permission.

Source: Verdictum