Mamata Banerjee alleges assault by advocates inside Calcutta HC premises
Synopsis
Mamata Banerjee walked into the Calcutta High Court as a counsel arguing for post-poll violence victims — and walked out alleging she had been assaulted by advocates on the premises. The incident sharpens the political battle between TMC and BJP over West Bengal's post-election narrative, with the PIL still pending before the division bench.
Key Takeaways
Mamata Banerjee alleged she was assaulted by a section of advocates at the Calcutta High Court on 14 May .
She had appeared as counsel before a division bench of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen on a PIL over alleged post-poll violence.
Advocates reportedly raised slogans calling her a 'thief' and used abusive language as she exited the premises.
State government counsel Dhiraj Trivedi called her court submissions baseless, citing absence of specific instances.
TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty condemned the incident, linking it to what he described as the new BJP regime's political climate.
The PIL on post-poll violence remains pending; no court direction has been issued yet.
Mamata Banerjee, the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and former Chief Minister of West Bengal, on Thursday, 14 May alleged she was physically assaulted by a section of advocates within the premises of the Calcutta High Court, triggering a sharp political confrontation. The incident occurred as she was departing the court after arguing as a counsel before a division bench on a public interest litigation (PIL) concerning alleged post-poll violence in the state.
What Happened Inside the Court
Banerjee had appeared before a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen, seeking judicial intervention to halt alleged post-poll violence — particularly, she argued, targeting women and members of the minority community — following the declaration of West Bengal Assembly election results on 4 May. The state government's counsel, Dhiraj Trivedi, countered her submissions in court, reportedly calling the allegations baseless in the absence of specific instances cited on record.
The Incident at the Court Gates
As Banerjee exited the court premises, a section of advocates and bystanders reportedly began raising slogans, addressing her as a 'thief' and using abusive language. Banerjee, speaking directly to waiting journalists moments later, alleged she had been physically attacked. 'They have assaulted me,' she said, pointing toward the agitated crowd, before leaving the premises.
TMC's Response
Trinamool Congress swiftly condemned the incident. Party spokesperson Arup Chakraborty said those who routinely invoke democratic values in West Bengal had acted in an 'undemocratic manner' within what he called the 'temple of justice.' 'A three-time Chief Minister of West Bengal went to the Calcutta High Court today to seek justice for the victims of the post-poll violence. If she can be heckled in such a manner and that too within the court premises, it is easily understandable how far the democratic ambience in the state will prevail in the new BJP regime,' Chakraborty said.
Political Context
The episode comes amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal following the recently concluded Assembly elections. Allegations of post-poll violence have been at the centre of a fierce contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and TMC, with both sides accusing the other of orchestrating attacks on their workers and supporters. Banerjee's decision to personally argue a PIL on the issue — rather than leave it to party-appointed lawyers — underscores the political weight her camp attaches to the violence narrative. Notably, this is not the first time the Calcutta High Court premises have seen political confrontations in the aftermath of a contentious Bengal election cycle.
What Comes Next
The PIL before the division bench remains pending, and the court is yet to issue any formal direction on the post-poll violence allegations. The incident is likely to intensify calls from TMC for security protocols at court premises, while the BJP is expected to contest Banerjee's characterisation of events. All claims regarding the assault remain attributed solely to Banerjee and her party at this stage; no independent verification has been reported.
Point of View
Designed to own the post-poll violence narrative ahead of any judicial outcome. The alleged assault, whatever its precise nature, hands TMC a ready-made grievance to amplify: if a former three-term Chief Minister can be heckled inside a court, the argument goes, ordinary victims stand no chance under the new dispensation. What mainstream coverage risks missing is that both the PIL and the incident serve the same political function — keeping Bengal's post-election wounds visible and attributable to the BJP. The court's eventual ruling on the PIL will matter far more than the day's optics, but that verdict may arrive long after the political capital from Thursday's drama has been spent.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mamata Banerjee allege happened at the Calcutta High Court?
Mamata Banerjee alleged she was physically assaulted by a section of advocates as she was leaving the Calcutta High Court premises on 14 May. She told waiting journalists, pointing at the crowd, 'They have assaulted me,' before departing. The claim has not been independently verified.
Why was Mamata Banerjee at the Calcutta High Court?
She appeared as a counsel before a division bench of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen, arguing a PIL seeking court intervention against alleged post-poll violence in West Bengal, particularly against women and minority communities, following the declaration of Assembly election results on 4 May.
What did the state government say in response to the PIL?
State government counsel Dhiraj Trivedi countered Banerjee's submissions, reportedly calling the allegations baseless due to the absence of specific instances cited in court. The PIL remains pending and no formal direction has been issued by the bench.
How did the Trinamool Congress react to the incident?
TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty condemned the incident, saying it demonstrated undemocratic behaviour within the 'temple of justice.' He argued that if a three-time Chief Minister could be heckled inside court premises, it reflected poorly on the democratic environment under what he called the new BJP regime in the state.
What is the political background to this incident?
The incident follows the West Bengal Assembly elections, whose results were declared on 4 May. Allegations of post-poll violence have fuelled a bitter standoff between TMC and BJP, with both parties accusing the other of targeting their workers. The PIL and the court confrontation are the latest flashpoints in that ongoing dispute.
