Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday, August 11, extended till August 31 the interim protection from arrest granted to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee in three criminal proceedings pending against him. Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya extended the interim protection granted to the Diamond Harbour MP till August 31 or until further orders, whichever is earlier. Opposing the prayer for interim protection from coercive action, complainant Abhijit Das’ counsel Jayanta Narayan Chatterjee claimed that Banerjee is “super-influential”. Chatterjee also prayed for police protection to his client if Banerjee is granted interim protection, claiming that Das may get “murdered” otherwise. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju opposed the prayer for quashing criminal proceedings against Banerjee and interim protection from coercive action, arguing that if an FIR discloses cognisable offence, it cannot be quashed at the threshold stage.