Arrest warrant against Trinamool’s footballer MP to stay: Court

Kolkata, July 5: A West Bengal court, which issued an arrest warrant against Trinamool MP and former international footballer Prasun Banerjee, on Saturday turned down a plea to take back the order.

Police in January this year had slapped non-bailable charges against the Lok Sabha member for allegedly slapping a traffic constable.

Failed to secure the former Indian football captain's appearance for questioning, police approached Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bidhannagar, A.K. Ghosh who on Friday issued the warrant and directed police to take Banerjee into custody and present him before the court by July 17.

Banerjee's counsel, during the day, moved an application pleading the court to recall the arrest warrant.

Contending that Banerjee was not an absconder and would appear before the court as and when directed, counsel urged the court to take back its order.

But the court refused to entertain the plea.

Banerjee had allegedly slapped a constable after he stooped the MP's car for illegally making a U-turn at the Lake Town flyover in Bidhannagar.

He was subsequently booked under several offences including assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty which entails a maximum punishment of two years imprisonment.