Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a dramatic appearance at the Calcutta High Court on Thursday dressed in a black lawyer’s gown to personally argue a case related to alleged post-poll violence in the state following the 2026 Assembly elections.
The unexpected courtroom appearance created a major political buzz across West Bengal, with visuals of Mamata Banerjee in advocate attire quickly going viral on social media. She reportedly appeared before a division bench headed by Chief Justice H.C. Sujoy Paul regarding petitions linked to alleged attacks on Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers after the party’s election defeat.
According to reports, the petition filed before the court alleged that several TMC workers and supporters faced violence, attacks on party offices, and threats after the BJP’s victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections. The plea reportedly sought protection and intervention from the judiciary over the alleged incidents.
Banerjee’s appearance in legal robes was widely seen as a symbolic political message as she attempted to directly present her side before the court. Senior TMC leaders, including Chandrima Bhattacharya and Kalyan Banerjee, accompanied her during the hearing.
The BJP, however, strongly criticised the move and accused the former Chief Minister of “politicising the judiciary.” Opposition leaders claimed the TMC was attempting to shift focus from allegations of violence against opposition workers during previous election cycles.
Post-poll violence has remained a politically sensitive issue in West Bengal for several years, with both the TMC and BJP repeatedly accusing each other of orchestrating attacks on party workers after elections. The issue previously led to multiple court interventions and investigations following the 2021 Assembly elections as well.
The latest courtroom appearance also comes amid heightened political tension in Bengal after the BJP formed its first government in the state by defeating the long-ruling TMC in the 2026 Assembly elections. Mamata Banerjee has continued to challenge the election outcome politically and legally after the defeat.
Meanwhile, social media reactions to Mamata Banerjee’s lawyer look ranged from praise to sharp political trolling, with supporters calling it a bold constitutional stand while critics described it as political theatre.
