Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee has approached the Calcutta High Court challenging the alleged freezing of his personal bank account by a private bank.
Justice Krishna Rao on Monday (August 17) agreed to hear the matter on Wednesday, August 19, after directing Banerjee’s counsel to serve notice on the concerned parties.
Background of the Case
Appearing for Banerjee, advocate Ayan Bhattacharjee submitted that restrictions had been imposed on the operation of his personal bank account without informing him of the reason.
The plea was mentioned urgently in view of Banerjee’s proposed foreign travel for medical treatment. The Supreme Court had recently permitted the TMC MP to travel abroad for three weeks, subject to conditions.
Banerjee’s counsel argued that if the account had been restricted in connection with a police investigation, the procedure prescribed under law would have to be followed.
Court Proceedings
Counsel referred to Section 107 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which deals with the procedure for attachment or seizure of property in specified circumstances and involves the jurisdictional Magistrate.
“How can the account be frozen without following the prescribed procedure?” the counsel questioned during the hearing.
Justice Rao also asked whether any investigation was presently pending against Banerjee. His counsel submitted that Banerjee had interim protection from coercive action and was complying with the conditions imposed by the Court.
Counsel further maintained that the alleged freezing of the personal account was a separate issue from the ongoing investigation.
Court’s Decision
After hearing the submissions, Justice Krishna Rao directed Banerjee’s counsel to serve notice on the concerned parties and fixed the matter for hearing on August 19, 2026.
The Court therefore did not decide the legality of the alleged account freeze at Monday’s hearing.
