The Madhya Pradesh High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Trinamool Congress National General Secretary and Member of Parliament Abhishek Banerjee, vacating the interim stay that had been in place since November 2025 on an arrest warrant issued against him by a special court in Bhopal.
A single-judge bench of Justice Pramod Kumar Agrawal rejected Banerjee’s plea and clarified that no judicial restraint would remain in force on the execution of the warrant. Following the order, further legal proceedings in the case may continue in accordance with law.
The interim relief had prevented the implementation of the warrant issued by the special court for several months. With the High Court’s order, the concerned court and investigating authorities may now proceed with the matter as per legal procedure.
The case arises from a defamation complaint filed in 2021 by BJP leader Akash Vijayvargiya, son of senior BJP leader and minister Kailash Vijayvargiya. The complaint alleges that Abhishek Banerjee used objectionable words against Akash Vijayvargiya during a political programme held in Kolkata in November 2020.
Based on the complaint, a defamation case was filed before the MP-MLA Court in Bhopal. During the proceedings, the court issued an arrest warrant against Banerjee, which he subsequently challenged before the High Court. An interim stay on the warrant was granted after the petition was filed.
During the latest hearing, the court also expressed displeasure over the absence of representation on behalf of the petitioner. According to reports, no advocate appeared for Abhishek Banerjee during the hearing. The court proceeded with the matter and delivered its order on the basis of the records available before it.
With the High Court withdrawing the relief, Banerjee may either challenge the order before a higher judicial forum or participate in the proceedings before the concerned court. The stay on the arrest warrant has now been lifted, and further legal action in the matter may proceed in accordance with the court’s directions.
