The Calcutta High Court on Thursday granted interim protection from coercive action to senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee until July 31 in connection with an FIR related to his remarks made at an election rally last month.However, while granting relief, the court also asked whether it was appropriate for a Member of Parliament to make such statements in a public forum.Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya, who passed the order, also directed Banerjee to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation. The court further instructed him to respond to any summons issued by the investigating officer and appear as required during the probe. Additionally, it barred Banerjee from travelling abroad without prior permission from the court until further orders.Banerjee had approached the High Court seeking the dismissal of an FIR lodged against him in connection with remarks he made against leaders and workers of an opposition party during a public meeting on April 27, ahead of the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections.Senior lawyer and TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee, appearing for Abhishek Banerjee, argued that the case amounted to malicious prosecution following a change in government, adding that the petitioner was a three-time Member of Parliament and the national general secretary of the TMC.While granting the Lok Sabha Member of Parliament protection from coercive action until July 31, the court also stated that the matter would be taken up again for hearing on July 20.