Calcutta HC rejects Abhishek Banerjee's fast-track plea in voice sample case
Synopsis
Two Calcutta High Court benches have now declined to fast-track Abhishek Banerjee's plea for voice-sample exemption, leaving him with a single hearing on 7 July — one day before a district court expects him to appear for CID sample collection. The legal clock is ticking against the TMC General Secretary.
Key Takeaways
Calcutta High Court Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya rejected Abhishek Banerjee's fast-track plea on 3 July , ruling the matter cannot be heard before 7 July .
Earlier, on 30 June , Justice Tirthankar Ghosh had also refused to entertain the exemption plea and subsequently recused himself.
The CID seeks Banerjee's voice samples over allegations of inciting statements and threats against Union Home Minister Amit Shah at a West Bengal election rally.
A North 24 Parganas district court issued a second notice on 1 July , directing Banerjee to appear by 10 am on 8 July for voice sample collection.
Banerjee holds interim protection from arrest but has been directed by the court to fully cooperate with the CID investigation.
A single-judge Bench of the Calcutta High Court on Friday, 3 July rejected a plea by All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee seeking a fast-track hearing on his petition for exemption from providing a voice sample to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal Police. The court made clear that the matter could not be heard before 7 July under any circumstance.
Background to the Case
The CID is seeking Abhishek Banerjee's voice samples in connection with allegations that he made inciting statements and threatened Union Home Minister Amit Shah at a campaign rally held ahead of the recently-concluded West Bengal Assembly elections. Banerjee, who is also the nephew of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has contested the probe and sought legal relief from the courts.
Earlier Refusals and Recusal
On 30 June, a single-judge Bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh had refused to entertain Banerjee's original plea seeking exemption from giving voice samples. Justice Ghosh also observed that courts cannot dictate the course or style of investigation to any probe agency. Following that order, Justice Ghosh recused himself from further proceedings in the matter.
Second Bench Also Declines Fast-Track Plea
With Justice Ghosh out of the picture, Banerjee's counsel approached a second single-judge Bench — that of Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya — on Friday, seeking an urgent fast-track hearing. Justice Bhattacharyya declined, stating unequivocally that the matter could not be taken up before 7 July.
This came even as a district court in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, issued a second notice to Banerjee on 1 July, directing him to appear by 10 am on 8 July so that CID officials could collect his voice samples in the presence of a Judicial Magistrate and forensic experts.
Interim Protection and Cooperation Directive
Banerjee currently holds interim protection from coercive police action, including arrest, as granted earlier by Justice Bhattacharyya's Bench. However, that same order came with a significant condition: Banerjee was directed to fully cooperate with the investigating agency. The Bench also instructed the CID to notify the court if the TMC General Secretary failed to extend the required cooperation.
What Happens Next
The hearing before Justice Bhattacharyya is now scheduled for 7 July — just one day before Banerjee's court-mandated appearance at the North 24 Parganas district court on 8 July. Whether the High Court grants exemption from providing voice samples at that hearing will be closely watched, given the narrow window between the two proceedings.
Point of View
And the sequencing is legally significant: a 7 July High Court hearing followed by an 8 July district court deadline leaves almost no room for relief. The interim protection from arrest is real, but it was granted with a cooperation condition — one the CID can invoke if Banerjee does not appear. This case is a test of whether political seniority translates into procedural advantage in West Bengal's courts, and so far, the answer has been no.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the CID seeking Abhishek Banerjee's voice sample?
The CID is investigating allegations that Abhishek Banerjee made inciting statements and threatened Union Home Minister Amit Shah at a campaign rally before the recently-concluded West Bengal Assembly elections. Voice samples are being sought as part of that probe.
What did the Calcutta High Court decide on 3 July?
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya's Bench rejected Banerjee's plea for a fast-track hearing, stating the matter could not be heard before 7 July under any circumstance. This was the second bench to decline relief after Justice Tirthankar Ghosh refused the original exemption plea on 30 June.
When must Abhishek Banerjee appear before the district court?
A North 24 Parganas district court issued a second notice on 1 July directing Banerjee to appear by 10 am on 8 July, so CID officials can collect his voice samples in the presence of a Judicial Magistrate and forensic experts.
Does Abhishek Banerjee have protection from arrest?
Yes, Justice Bhattacharyya's Bench has granted Banerjee interim protection from coercive police action including arrest. However, the same order requires him to fully cooperate with the CID, and the agency has been authorised to inform the court if he does not.
What happens at the 7 July hearing?
The Calcutta High Court will hear Banerjee's petition seeking exemption from providing voice samples on 7 July. The outcome is critical because his district court appearance for sample collection is scheduled just one day later, on 8 July.
