The Calcutta High Court on Thursday deferred the hearing on Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee's writ petition challenging multiple FIRs registered against him and fixed the matter for July 30, while declining to grant interim protection at this stage.

Justice Saugata Bhattacharya indicated that he would hear the matter on merits on the next date after hearing all sides. The Court, however, observed that if any coercive steps are taken against the petitioner in the meantime, he would be at liberty to approach the Court.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Banerjee, urged the Bench to grant interim protection, contending that several FIRs had been lodged against his client and that requiring separate petitions for each case would be impractical.

Addressing the Court's query on the maintainability of a single writ petition covering multiple prosecutions, Sibal submitted, "There are separate grounds for each FIR. It doesn't mean we have to file 70 petitions. There's some element of justice in this."

Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, opposed the submission, remarking, "No element of justice."

Seeking interim relief, Sibal relied upon the High Court's earlier orders in favour of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, submitting that the Court had granted protection in that matter and had also directed that future FIRs be registered only with the leave of the Court.

"The final order also protected him. If it was good for Suvendu Adhikari it should be good for us," Sibal argued.

The State opposed the reliance on the Suvendu Adhikari case, submitting that Banerjee could not seek parity based on an interim order.

The Bench, however, observed that the Adhikari case could not be treated as a precedent in every matter. "Suvendu Adhikari is not an example. It had to be considered on a case-to-case basis," the Court remarked, to which Sibal responded, "I agree, I will argue to show."

The Court further noted that protection applications had already been filed in some of the cases. Counsel clarified that those applications were still pending.

When the Bench asked whether it should hear the matter on merits the same day, ASG Raju suggested that the Court could consider only the prayer for interim relief without entering into the merits. Sibal, however, expressed readiness to argue the case on merits immediately.

The Bench ultimately scheduled the matter for hearing on July 30.

Pressing once again for interim protection, Sibal informed the Court that three more FIRs had been registered against Banerjee during the pendency of the proceedings.

The Bench declined to pass any protective order without hearing the respondents, observing, "Without hearing the other side how can I?"

As Sibal reiterated his request, the Court said, "These matters are pending for quite a while, wait for some time Mr. Sibal."

Disposing of the request for the present, the Bench directed that the matter be taken up on July 30 and observed, "If any steps are taken you can approach the Court."

Case: Abhishek Banerjee v State of WB

Case No: WPA 15412 of 2026