Rujira Banerjee, the wife of Abhishek Banerjee, has approached the Calcutta High Court, alleging an ongoing media trial against her and her parliamentarian husband. She has requested that media organizations be restrained from publishing news related to them (Rujira Banerjee vs State of West Bengal).
In her plea, filed by advocate Soumen Mohanty, Rujira expressed concerns about the behavior of various media houses. They have been providing continuous and round-the-clock coverage of investigations conducted by central agencies in different cases, which indirectly or directly implicate her and Abhishek.
The petition asserts that the media has portrayed them as though they are already guilty parties. It highlights that many news stories are based on unverified rumors, baseless speculations, and conjectures, which are often unrelated to the actual circumstances of the ongoing investigations.
The petition argues that such media coverage should be stopped as it prejudices their cases. It emphasizes the need to halt such reportage as it not only impacts their right to a fair investigation and trial but also jeopardizes the adjudication process. The petition contends that their fundamental rights, including the right to privacy and dignity, have been violated.
The matter came before single-judge Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya on Monday, but the hearing was adjourned until Tuesday upon the request of Deputy Solicitor General Billwadal Bhattacharyya and advocate Sabyasachi Chatterjee, who represented one of the respondents (Editor of Banglar Barta).
In her petition, Rujira specifically cited media coverage by organizations such as ANI, My Nation, Kovai Media Pvt Ltd, Swarajya, ARG Outlier Media, Republic Bangla, Republic World, HT Media, Hindustan Times, Hindu Post, Hindu Media Forum, Arambagh TV, and Banglar Barta. These reports accused Abhishek Banerjee of financial wrongdoing and avoiding compliance with summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The Press Council of India and Twitter have also been named as respondents in the petition.
