The Calcutta High Court has initiated a review of the police raid conducted at the residence of TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on June 13. The court has ordered the preservation of all surveillance footage and police records related to the operation as it examines the legality of the search, which aimed to apprehend an aide accused in a land fraud case.
What Happened
The Calcutta High Court is currently reviewing a petition filed by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) challenging a police raid conducted at the home of party leader Abhishek Banerjee. The incident took place on June 13 during a search operation reportedly aimed at locating Sumit Roy, an aide to Banerjee who is accused in a land fraud case. The court has now intervened to examine the procedural legality of the police action.
The Legal Question
The central point of contention in the ongoing hearing is the timing and method of the police entry. Legal representatives for the TMC have argued that the raid, which occurred during late-night hours, constituted an overreach of police powers. While the petitioner clarified that they are not challenging the investigation itself, they have questioned the authority used to execute the search in that specific manner.
Court’s Directions
Justice Saugata Bhattacharya has issued a directive for the relevant authorities to preserve all CCTV footage from Banerjee's Kalighat residence. The court also ordered the preservation of any audio-visual records held by the police concerning the June 13 operation. This order serves to protect evidence while the court evaluates the arguments from both the TMC and the State.
State's Position
The State, represented by the Additional Advocate General, has defended the operation. The defense invoked Section 44 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), stating that the police acted upon information suggesting the suspect might attempt to flee. The State maintained that the police followed due process in the context of an active investigation.
What to Watch Next
The court has set a timeline for the State to file its official response to the petition, after which the TMC will be permitted to submit a rejoinder. A date for the next hearing will be determined once these filings are complete. For those monitoring the legal and governance framework, the final ruling will be a key indicator regarding the judicial view on the limits of police search operations and the protection of private premises.