Calcutta HC Issues Contempt Notices to Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee

June 19, 2026

Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Friday served contempt of court notices to former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress’ general secretary and Lok Sabha member.

Notices Linked to Martyrs’ Day Rally Case

The notice pertains to the Trinamool Congress annual Martyrs’ Day rally in central Kolkata on July 21, 2025, which contravened the Calcutta High Court’s 2018 order that prohibited political parties from obstructing any major or important road junctions in the city.

Contempt Petition Triggered Fresh Hearing

Recently, a contempt of court petition challenging the Trinamool Congress annual Martyrs’ Day rally was filed before a Calcutta High Court division bench headed by Justice Arijit Banerjee.

A preliminary hearing in the matter was conducted on Friday, following which the division bench directed that contempt of court notices be served on both Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee.

The next hearing in the matter will be on July 3.

2018 HC Order on Political Rallies Recalled

To recall, in 2018, the erstwhile Calcutta High Court’s division bench ruled that no political rally in the city should block any major junction and ensured free movement for pedestrians, vehicles, and emergency services.

The court had also directed police to inform the public in advance about traffic diversion plans through media and warned of legal action in case of violations such as vandalism, noise, or violence.

Recently, another petition alleged that the 2018 order was violated during the Martyrs’ Day rally last year, claiming that an important junction at Esplanade in Central Kolkata was blocked, causing public inconvenience.

The contempt notices were issued in relation to this fresh petition.