"Public Property Or Public Servants Should Not Be Attacked During Protests On Bangladesh Issue": Calcutta High Court Warns Organisers

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday allowed permission for a rally to go ahead in Kolkata, protesting against the alleged atrocities taking place against Hindus in Bangladesh on 5th December.

While granting permission for the rally, Justice Tirthankar Ghosh orally warned the petitioners' counsel that no vandalism or attacks should take place against public property or public servants at the protests. The judge stated that in case there was any outbreak of violence, the court would henceforth impose a bond condition before allowing permission for such rallies.

The petitioners had approached the court seeking permission for a rally to be held against the alleged atrocities faced by Bangaldeshi Hindus. It was stated that the local administration had not granted permission and thus the petitioners had to approach the court.

Court noted that it had regulating power, and that if the attendees of the protest do not maintain decorum, then there would be stricter regulation by the court. It further said that there were 2500 potential attendees, and thus the situation cannot become one where they overpower the police authorities.

"In order to draw attention of the public, don't destroy public property and attack public servants. Two conditions. Nothing more. This my open condition. I will allow. Since regulation is my power, I will have to use it otherwise," the Court said.

Case: DR. SWAPAN DASGUPTA AND ANR VS STATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS

Case No: WPA/28705/2024

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Cal) 263