Mamata Banerjee’s Nephew Secures Relief from MP High Court; Arrest Warrant Stayed in Defamation Case

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Bhopal, 18 November 2025: The Madhya Pradesh High Court has granted significant relief to Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, staying the arrest warrant issued against him in a defamation case filed by former BJP MLA Akash Vijayvargiya. The case pertains to a public rally held in Kolkata in November 2020, during which Abhishek allegedly referred to Akash Vijayvargiya as a “goonda” (hooligan).

Arrest Warrant Issued Over Non-Appearance
The arrest warrant was originally issued by the Bhopal court after Abhishek repeatedly failed to appear in court since the proceedings began in May 2021. The warrant covered the period from 11 to 26 August 2025, prompting Abhishek’s legal team to challenge it in the High Court.

Legal Team Claims Misrepresentation
Senior advocates Anil Khare and M. Agarwal, representing Abhishek Banerjee, argued that the arrest warrant was wrongfully issued. They claimed that the statements made during the rally were misrepresented and sensationalized, forming the basis of the defamation case. They requested that the court stay the warrant until a proper investigation into the matter was completed.

High Court Stays Warrant and Issues Notices
After hearing all parties, a single-judge bench led by Justice Pramod Kumar Agrawal stayed the arrest warrant. Notices have been issued to Akash Vijayvargiya and all other parties involved, with instructions to submit their responses within one week. With the stay in place, the case moves to the next phase, where the High Court will examine the validity of the defamation proceedings after considering all submissions.

Background of the Case
The defamation case dates back to November 2020, when Abhishek Banerjee allegedly insulted Akash Vijayvargiya at a Kolkata public rally. The complaint was filed in 2021, and proceedings have been ongoing in the Bhopal court. Abhishek’s absence from the court during the last four years led to the issuance of the arrest warrant, now stayed by the High Court.