Calcutta High Court Seeks Report From Top Police Officials On Allegations Of Violence During Durga Puja Celebrations

The Calcutta High Court vacation bench of Justices Md Shabbar Rashidi and Hiranmay Bhattacharya has called for a report from the Commissioner of Police, Kolkata, over allegations of violence which took place during Durga and Laxmi puja celebrations in the State.

It was claimed by the petitioner that during the Durga Puja and Lakshmi Puja celebrations in the State of West Bengal which were performed this month, a particular religious community caused violence while the other community was performing the aforesaid Puja celebrations.

The advocate appearing for the petitioner submitted that the acts of violence took place in several districts of the State of West Bengal and complaints have been lodged with the local police station as well as before the Superintendents of Police of the concerned districts and Commissioners of Police.

Advocate appearing for the petitioner further submitted that since the State police have not taken any effective steps pursuant to the aforesaid complaints, the investigation should be transferred to an independent investigating agency.

Advocate General raised the issue of maintainability of the petition. He submitted that the present petition is devoid of the necessary particulars and pleadings for transfer of an investigation from one agency to the other.

Advocate General also submitted that he is yet to receive reports from the concerned authorities with regard to steps taken pursuant to the complaints which have been annexed to the writ petition.

Accordingly, the Superintendents of Police of the concerned districts as well as the Commissioners of Police of the concerned Police Commissionerates who have been impleaded as respondents were directed to submit a report with regard to steps taken pursuant to the complaints which have been disclosed in the writ petition, before the Director General of Police, West Bengal.

DG Police was directed to depute an Additional Director General of Police, who shall collate all such reports submitted and file a comprehensive report on or before the next date of hearing.

Accordingly, the petition was listed before the regular bench with the question on maintainability being kept open.

Case: Ritu Singh Vs. State of West Bengal & Ors.

Case No: WPA (P) 463 of 2024

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