Calcutta HC DB Puts A Halt On BJP's Rath Yathra, Setting Aside Single Bench Decision

The Calcutta High Court Friday quashed the single bench order that allowed BJP's 'Rath Yatra' in West Bengal.

The Division bench comprising Chief Justice Debasish Kargupta and Justice Shampa Sarkar send the case back to the single bench to consider intelligence inputs by state agencies.

The two judges' bench order came after hearing an appeal moved by the state government, challenging the Thursday order of the single bench.

Yesterday, Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty had allowed the BJP's 'Rath Yatra' programme in West Bengal, setting aside the state government's refusal on apprehensions of communal unrest.

Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty had directed the state BJP to inform the superintendents of police of the districts, in which the rallies shall enter, at least 12 hours ahead of schedule.The party was also directed to ensure that the 'Yatras' are conducted abiding by the law and shall not impede normal movement of vehicular traffic.

The party had planned three 'Rath Yatras' from different parts of the state. The chariots were meant to travel across the state's 42 parliamentary constituencies over one-and-a-half months.

The state BJP had moved the court challenging the state government's denial of permission to its programme.