The Calcutta High Court on Thursday released a petition moved by Trinamool Congress lawmaker Abhishek Banerjee concerning the alleged leaking of case information to the press by investigative agencies, citing a lack of jurisdiction.
Justice Krishna Rao ruled that the matter fell outside the purview of his bench because the grievance pertained to allegations of police inaction or overaction. The court granted the Diamond Harbour parliamentarian permission to bring the petition before an appropriate bench of the high court empowered to hear such matters.
Allegations of Smear Campaign and Compromised Probe
Banerjee, a three-time member of parliament, had approached the court seeking an order restraining investigating authorities from issuing public statements or disseminating details that could harm his standing.
According to Banerjee’s counsel, the lawmaker is currently under scrutiny in connection with specific First Information Reports. The lawyer submitted that agency officials are barred from releasing sensitive details of an active probe to news outlets, emphasizing that every accused individual is legally presumed innocent until guilt is established.
The counsel further contended that an orchestrated smear campaign was being carried out through sustained information leaks to the press. Such disclosures, the petition argued, directly undermine Banerjee’s right to an impartial inquiry and damage his reputation while proceedings remain pending.
