Eight FIRs Covered. Eight Still Open: What Happens Next for Abhishek Banerjee?

A new chapter has begun for Abhishek Banerjee’s legal battle in Bengal . On August 21, the Calcutta High Court granted the TMC national general secretary interim protection from coercive action, including arrest, in three more FIRs. With that order, Banerjee now has such protection in eight of the 16 FIRs pending against him across West Bengal.

The latest three cases were registered at Bishnupur and Rabindra Nagar police stations in South 24 Parganas and relate to allegations surrounding the Sebashray health camps. Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya’s order shields Banerjee until September 11, with the three matters listed for September 7. But the larger legal contest is far from settled; eight FIRs remain outside this protection, while the court is scheduled to pass an order on August 25 in three other proceedings.

That makes the numbers more than a headline. Banerjee has sought quashing of the FIRs and has alleged that the cases are politically motivated following the change in Bengal’s government. The State and complainants have opposed the relief, including arguments that Banerjee’s political influence could affect the investigation. Importantly, the court’s interim protection is not a clean chit: it restricts coercive action for the specified period while the legal challenges and investigations continue.

There is also a larger question emerging from the courtroom: is this becoming a test of how far interim judicial protection can extend when multiple FIRs are filed against one political leader, or will each case ultimately stand or fall on its own evidence? The court itself has questioned the circumstances surrounding some complaints and has directed that all FIRs be supplied to Banerjee.

For Banerjee, Friday’s order is undoubtedly a legal relief, but only a partial one. Eight FIRs are covered; eight remain. And with August 25, 2026 approaching, the next court order could determine whether that divide narrows further or becomes the next major point of confrontation between Banerjee, the Bengal government and the investigating authorities.