Mamata Banerjee appears in Calcutta HC in lawyer’s robe; argues TMC post-poll violence case

Former CM represents party before Chief Justice Sujoy Paul’s bench; highlights attacks on workers following 2026 Assembly results.

In a move that caught the legal fraternity and political observers by surprise, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee arrived at the Calcutta High Court on Thursday afternoon dressed in a lawyer’s black gown. The former Chief Minister appeared before a Division Bench led by Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Parthasarathi Sen to personally argue a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding alleged widespread violence against her party workers following the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Unexpected appearance in courtroom

The sight of the TMC supremo in formal legal attire created a stir within the court premises. While Banerjee holds an LL.B. degree from Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College, her appearance as an arguing counsel is rare. Accompanied by senior advocate and party colleague Kalyan Banerjee, she walked into the Chief Justice's courtroom around noon.

The move is being seen as a high-stakes political statement following the recent election results, where the BJP secured a significant victory in the state.

Allegations of systemic violence

The PIL, filed by advocate Shirshanya Bandyopadhyay, alleges that TMC supporters and local leaders have been subjected to systematic attacks across several districts. During the proceedings, Banerjee informed the bench that the situation on the ground was one of "extreme distress."

"Our offices are being vandalized, and workers are being forced to flee their homes in many areas," she submitted before the court. She further alleged that women and children have not been spared in the unrest and claimed that at least 10 party workers had lost their lives in various incidents since the results were declared.

Chaos outside court premises

The legal drama was not limited to the courtroom. As Banerjee was exiting the High Court building following the hearing, she was met with "thief" slogans from a section of lawyers present on the premises. The situation briefly turned chaotic as TMC legal cell members and security personnel struggled to escort her to her vehicle.

Kalyan Banerjee later addressed the media, condemning the heckling. "The court is a place for legal arguments, not for public branding or political slogans. If a former Chief Minister can face such conduct inside the temple of justice, one can only imagine the plight of ordinary workers in remote villages," he said.

Context of the PIL

The petition highlights specific incidents in South 24 Parganas, Howrah, and parts of North Bengal. It seeks the court’s intervention to provide immediate protection to displaced workers and a directive to the state police to act against "hooliganism" that is allegedly occurring in plain sight.

The TMC has also linked this unrest to the "Special Intensive Revision" (SIR) of electoral rolls, an issue they previously challenged in the Supreme Court. The party maintains that the deletion of over 90 lakh names from the voter list had a direct bearing on the election outcome.

Judicial observation and next steps

Chief Justice Sujoy Paul’s bench took note of the submissions and the gravity of the allegations. While the court did not pass an immediate interim order, it has asked the state administration to file a status report on the law and order situation by early next week.

The matter is expected to be heard again on Tuesday. For now, the images of Mamata Banerjee in a lawyer’s robe have dominated the political discourse in Bengal, signaling that the TMC is prepared to take its fight from the streets to the highest corridors of the judiciary.