The Madhya Pradesh high court’s Jabalpur bench lifted the interim stay on the arrest warrant issued against Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee after he repeatedly failed to appear in court in connection with a defamation case filed by former MLA Akash Vijayvargiya.
At a rally in Kolkata, Banerjee allegedly referred to Akash Vijayvargiya as a ‘goonda’ (thug) in November 2020, months after Vijayvargiya allegedly hit a municipal corporation employee with a cricket bat.
The single bench of justice Pramod Kumar Agrawal on Wednesday said, “No one appeared for the petitioner even in the pass over round. No one has appeared on behalf of petitioner in the first round also. It seems that petitioner has lost interest in pursuing this petition. This Court by order on November 12, 2025 has stayed the proceedings for execution of arrest warrant issued by special judge, MP/MLA, Bhopal. Accordingly, the stay granted in favour of the petitioner is also vacated.”
At a rally in Kolkata, Banerjee allegedly referred to Akash Vijayvargiya as a ‘goonda’ (thug) in November 2020, months after Vijayvargiya allegedly hit a municipal corporation employee with a cricket bat.
Terming the remark defamatory and damaging to his reputation, Akash filed a complaint in the Bhopal MP-MLA court in 2021.
The Bhopal MP-MLA court had issued an arrest warrant against Abhishek Banerjee following his failure to appear before the court. He had challenged the lower court’s order regarding the warrant in the Madhya Pradesh High Court. In the High Court, he argued that, as an elected Member of Parliament, there was no risk of him absconding. Based on these arguments, the High Court had initially granted an interim stay on the arrest warrant.
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2 reports
Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter4 days agoThe Madhya Pradesh High Court's Jabalpur bench has removed the temporary halt on the arrest warrant issued against Trinamool Congress (TMC) member Abhishek Banerjee. The court noted that no representation was made on Banerjee's behalf during key procedural stages, suggesting a lack of engagement with the legal process. The warrant was issued following a defamation case brought by former MLA Akash Vijayvargiya, who alleged that Banerjee insulted him by calling him a 'goonda' (thug) at a rally in 2020. Vijayvargiya claimed this comment damaged his reputation and led to the filing of a complaint.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the facts of the legal proceeding without overtly favoring either side. It reports on the court's decision to lift the stay on the arrest warrant based on the absence of legal representation for the accused. The content does not exhibit clear bias toward either Abhishek Banerjee
Official sources cited
- government Madhya Pradesh High Court
- government Bhopal MP-MLA court
NDTVIndependentCenter4 days agoThe Madhya Pradesh High Court has revoked the stay on the arrest warrant for Abhishek Banerjee, allowing it to proceed. A bench led by Justice Pramod Kumar Agarwal dismissed Banerjee's petition seeking to block the enforcement of the warrant.
Bias read (Center): The article reports a judicial decision without apparent framing or slant. It provides factual information about the court's action and does not include commentary, biased language, or selective sourcing that would indicate a particular ideological leaning.
Official sources cited
- government Madhya Pradesh High Court
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