The Calcutta High Court will hear a petition filed by Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee over the withdrawal of his security cover. Justice Krishna Rao has scheduled the matter for October 6.
Banerjee, the TMC national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP, has approached the court seeking restoration of his Z-plus security cover. His lawyer, Ayan Bhattacharya, mentioned the matter before the court on September 28 and requested an urgent hearing.
However, the court did not grant an immediate hearing. Instead, it allowed Banerjee to file the petition and fixed October 6 for further proceedings.
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Banerjee seeks restoration of Z-plus security
According to Banerjee’s counsel, the TMC leader had Z-plus security before the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election. The security cover was later withdrawn following the election results in May.
His lawyer told the court that Banerjee currently does not have a formal security contingent. Only a few home guards remain around him, according to the submission.
The petition challenges the withdrawal and seeks the restoration of the earlier security arrangement.
Banerjee’s lawyer has argued that the issue requires urgent consideration because of concerns over his safety.
Lawyer cites alleged attacks after withdrawal
During the hearing, Bhattacharya claimed that Banerjee faced several attacks after the withdrawal of his security cover.
One reported incident took place in Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas on May 30. Banerjee had travelled there to meet the family of a TMC worker who died during post-election violence.
Reports said protesters confronted Banerjee during the visit. His lawyer has cited this and other incidents while seeking the restoration of his security arrangement.
These claims form part of Banerjee’s case before the High Court. The court has not yet made any finding on the allegations.
Security cover had continued for several years
Banerjee’s counsel has also referred to the history of his security arrangements.
According to the lawyer, Banerjee had received Z-plus security in 2016. The lawyer further said that the Union Home Ministry carried out a threat assessment in 2024.
Following that assessment, Banerjee received Z-plus security across India, according to the submissions made before the court.
The petition questions the subsequent decision to withdraw that protection.
Court directs notice to authorities
The High Court has not issued an interim order restoring Banerjee’s security at this stage.
Instead, Justice Krishna Rao directed the petitioner to serve notice on the concerned authorities. The case will come up for detailed hearing on October 6.
The state and central authorities will have an opportunity to present their position before the court.
The hearing could therefore focus on the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal and the current security assessment.
Political context behind the petition
The security dispute comes amid heightened political activity in West Bengal.
The 2026 Assembly election changed the state’s political administration. The BJP won the election and formed the government, while the TMC moved into opposition. Banerjee remains the national general secretary of the TMC and represents Diamond Harbour in the Lok Sabha.
His lawyer has linked the timing of the security withdrawal to the change in government. However, this remains an allegation made in court and will be contested by the authorities.
The October 6 hearing will provide an opportunity for the concerned governments to respond.
Security decisions generally depend on threat assessment
Security arrangements for public figures depend on assessments made by the relevant authorities. Such assessments can change according to available information and perceived threats.
In Banerjee’s case, his counsel has argued that the earlier threat assessment justified Z-plus protection. The petition now seeks judicial consideration of whether the subsequent withdrawal was justified.
The court will have to consider the material placed before it before deciding whether any direction should be issued.
No immediate relief granted
For now, Banerjee has not received an immediate judicial order restoring his Z-plus security.
The High Court has only agreed to hear the petition and has fixed October 6 as the hearing date. The concerned authorities will also have the opportunity to respond to the allegations and explain the decision concerning his security cover.
Therefore, the final position on Banerjee’s security remains pending before the court.
October 6 hearing could determine next step
The upcoming hearing will bring the dispute over Abhishek Banerjee’s security cover before the Calcutta High Court in detail.
The court may examine the reasons behind the withdrawal, the security assessment concerning Banerjee and the allegations of incidents following the withdrawal.
For now, the petition remains at the hearing stage. Any decision on restoring the Z-plus cover will depend on the arguments and material presented before Justice Krishna Rao.
The October 6 proceedings will therefore be closely watched as the court considers Banerjee’s request for renewed security protection.
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