Kolkata: Calcutta High Court on Wednesday dismissed Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee’s plea to travel abroad for his eye treatment, remarking, “India is not lagging in medical science, even Supreme Court judges get treated here.”Following Supreme Court’s order on Monday to hear Banerjee’s application within seven days, the matter was taken up for hearing by Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya. The single bench noted that Banerjee had 16 criminal cases against him, including the ‘DJ remark’ case lodged by Bidhannagar police, in defending which Banerjee had sought permission to travel abroad.Justice Bhattacharyya also recommended the formation of a medical board headed by the head of the department of ophthalmology of SSKM. The board will assess Banerjee’s medical condition on Thursday at a fixed time and file a report on Friday on whether the MP was required to go abroad for treatment or could avail the same in India. The judge observed that Banerjee had refused to be assessed by a team of SSKM doctors earlier.“If treatment is urgent, it can be administered in our country. In terms of medical science, we don’t lag behind. Even judges of the Supreme Court are getting their treatment in our country,” Justice Bhattacharyya remarked.“But this is his choice,” Banerjee’s counsel Rebecca M John replied, stressing Banerjee’s right to be treated by a doctor of his choice.John submitted that Banerjee was cooperating with the investigators and he may be permitted to go abroad for three weeks so that his eye condition could be treated.Justice Bhattacharyya said that if Banerjee agrees to appear before the medical board on Thursday, then based on the medical opinion, the judge could decide, but would also consider the fact that there are 16 cases against Banerjee.The state, represented by AAG Rajdeep Mazumder, submitted that it appeared from Banerjee’s medical reports that there was no medical emergency.
