Supreme Court Allows TMC Leader Abhishek Banerjee to Travel Abroad for Eye Treatment
The Supreme Court allowed Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee to travel abroad for eye treatment, observing that every individual has the right to travel abroad and choose medical treatment.
Allowing Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee to travel abroad for treatment of his eyes, the Supreme Court observed that an individual has a right to travel abroad and is also entitled to choose the medical treatment he wishes to undergo.
Every individual has a right to travel abroad. Every individual has right to choose his medical treatment.
Supreme CourtSupreme Court Bench Hearing the Appeal
The order was passed by a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana while considering an appeal filed by Banerjee against the decision of the Calcutta High Court denying him permission to travel abroad.
Three Weeks of Foreign Travel Permitted
While allowing Banerjee's request, the Supreme Court said that the TMC MP could travel abroad for a period of three weeks during September.
The Court also stipulated that the foreign visit should be undertaken using his diplomatic passport.
The applicant is allowed to travel abroad for a period of three weeks in September, provided he shall travel on his diplomatic passport. It is stated that he has no other passport other than the diplomatic passport.
Supreme Court Order- Abhishek Banerjee has been permitted to travel abroad for eye treatment.
- The permitted travel period is three weeks in September.
- He has to travel using his diplomatic passport.
- His complete foreign travel itinerary must be provided.
- Medical and accommodation details abroad are also required.
- The relevant agencies may use the information supplied to them.
Travel and Medical Details Must Be Disclosed
The permission is subject to Banerjee furnishing details relating to his planned foreign visit. These include information regarding his itinerary, his place of residence while abroad, the doctors or hospital where he intends to receive treatment, the duration of his stay and his flight details.
Banerjee will be required to provide his travel itinerary, address of residence abroad, details concerning the doctors or hospital where treatment is proposed, the period of stay and relevant flight information.
Agencies Can Use the Information
The Supreme Court further directed that the information furnished by Banerjee should be placed before the agencies concerned for their use.
At the same time, the Bench stated that the agencies should not disclose the information to anybody else.
The details furnished by the applicant shall be placed before the agencies concerned for their use and shall not be treated as confidential. The agencies shall not disclose such information to anybody.
Supreme Court BenchAppeal Followed Calcutta High Court Order
Banerjee approached the Supreme Court after the Calcutta High Court on August 5 declined to entertain his request seeking permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.
He thereafter challenged the High Court's August 5 order before the apex court.
