Supreme Court Permits Abhishek Banerjee to Travel Abroad for Medical Treatment Amid Criticism from Sreelekha Mitra

KOLKATA — The Supreme Court of India has granted permission to Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee to travel abroad for medical treatment, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from Tollywood actress Sreelekha Mitra.

The apex court’s ruling allows Banerjee a three-week window for foreign travel to address persistent eye issues. The court has stipulated that Banerjee must provide detailed travel itineraries, including specific flight information, the name of the medical facility, and his intended address while overseas. These conditions were imposed following concerns raised by the state government, which had previously argued against the travel, citing the risk of non-return due to ongoing legal proceedings. Counsel for Banerjee, however, defended the request by highlighting his history of fifteen prior foreign trips, his status as a sitting Member of Parliament, and the presence of his family in Kolkata.

Following the announcement, Sreelekha Mitra took to Facebook to express her frustration, drawing comparisons between the court’s decision and the legal challenges she currently faces. Mitra is the subject of more than 40 First Information Reports (FIRs) filed across various police stations following a recent protest march in Kolkata. During the demonstration, which targeted the central government’s handling of student unrest, Mitra carried a poster featuring a caricatured image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In her social media post, Mitra questioned the perceived leniency shown toward political figures, stating that while the court facilitates medical travel for TMC leaders, she remains embroiled in legal controversy over an incident she claims was unintentional. Mitra has maintained that her actions were the result of poor vision, asserting that she was not wearing her glasses at the time and failed to inspect the poster’s content thoroughly before carrying it.

The incident has polarized public opinion, with supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staging protests outside the actress’s residence. While Mitra has received limited support from the entertainment industry, she remains a target of severe backlash from both political opponents and members of the public who have questioned her version of events.

Legal proceedings against Mitra continue to unfold, while Banerjee is expected to finalize his travel logistics under the strict reporting requirements mandated by the Supreme Court.