Justice Krishna Rao of the Calcutta High Court fixed October 6 for the hearing of Abhishek Banerjee’s petition challenging the withdrawal of his Z-plus security cover. The Diamond Harbour MP’s counsel, Ayan Bhattacharjee, argued on Monday that the protection, granted in 2024 after a Union Home Ministry threat assessment, was abruptly stripped following the BJP’s victory in the May state assembly elections.
Bhattacharjee contended that the security lapse has left his client vulnerable, citing four specific attacks since the cover was removed. One such incident occurred in late May at Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas, where Banerjee was allegedly heckled and pelted with eggs. The lawyer further claimed that after Banerjee formally requested the restoration of security, the personnel stationed at his residence were also pulled out, exacerbating the threat perception.
The court did not pass an interim order on Monday but directed the petitioner to serve notice on the concerned parties. The matter will now be argued before Justice Krishna Rao on October 6, where the government will be asked to justify the sudden revocation of the Z-plus cover that had been active since 2016.