The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Calcutta High Court to consider Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee’s application seeking interim relief against media reports concerning investigations and cases against him. Abhishek Banerjee has alleged that the dissemination of investigation-related information is leading to a media trial and affecting his rights.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana was hearing a Special Leave Petition filed by Abhishek Banerjee after his plea before the Calcutta High Court was not taken up for urgent hearing.

Senior Advocate Shoeb Alam, appearing for Abhishek Banerjee, submitted that the writ petition was filed before the High Court in September. However, when the matter was taken up, the Court had indicated that it did not have the appropriate roster to hear it.

Mr Alam submitted that he had mentioned the matter before the High Court on three occasions thereafter, but it had still not been taken up. He argued that the alleged violation of Abhishek Banerjee’s rights was continuing, with news reports concerning him being published regularly.

He further submitted that the presumption of innocence recognised in judicial precedents could not be undermined through media trials. He was seeking take-down orders against the reports and that he would once again request the High Court to consider the matter urgently.

The Supreme Court noted that the Calcutta High Court would reopen on November 16 after the Durga Puja and Diwali vacations. It permitted Abhishek Banerjee to bring the matter to the notice of the appropriate Bench immediately upon the High Court’s reopening and requested it to consider his prayer for interim relief at the earliest.