The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, declined an urgent hearing on a petition filed by Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee, who had sought restrictions on the publication of news reports concerning ongoing investigations against him by central and state agencies. The refusal means the matter is unlikely to be heard before November or December 2026, depending on the court's cause list.

What the Court Said

Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya, heading a single-judge bench, ruled that an urgent hearing was not possible under the present circumstances. The judge declined to advance the listing and left the matter to proceed in the ordinary course of the cause list. No date has been fixed as yet.

How the Petition Reached This Bench

Banerjee had initially approached a separate single-judge bench, presided over by Justice Krishna Rao, the previous week. Justice Rao recused himself from the matter without dismissing it, and advised Banerjee's counsel to approach the appropriate bench — noting that the petition alleged investigating agencies were leaking information to the media. Banerjee's legal team subsequently moved Justice Bhattacharyya's bench and pressed for an urgent hearing.

The 'Media Trial' Argument

Banerjee's counsel argued before the court that his client was being subjected to a 'media trial' because sensitive details from ongoing investigations — including the specific questions put to him during interrogation — were allegedly being leaked to and published by media organisations. The petition also raised concerns about reports touching on Banerjee's foreign travels and other personal matters that, according to his counsel, bore no direct connection to the cases under investigation. The counsel contended that such disclosures infringed upon Banerjee's right to personal privacy and were damaging to his dignity and reputation.

The Investigations Against Banerjee

Banerjee, who is the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has been under investigation by central agencies — including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) — for a considerable period. Following the change of government in West Bengal after the state Assembly elections earlier this year, the state's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) also initiated fresh probes into separate matters involving him. CID officials have reportedly questioned the Diamond Harbour MP on multiple occasions in connection with these investigations.

What Happens Next

The petition will be listed in the ordinary course and is expected to come up for hearing between November and December 2026. The court's refusal to advance the matter means Banerjee's request for interim relief — effectively a restraint on certain media reporting — will remain unheard for several more weeks. The outcome, when the case does come up, could have broader implications for the boundaries between investigative journalism and the privacy rights of individuals under probe.