Calcutta High Court Declines VHP's Plea Seeking Action Against CM Mamata Banerjee For Allegedly Objectionable Remarks Against Monk

The Calcutta High Court has declined to hear a public interest litigation (PIL) by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, for making allegedly objectionable remarks against a monk during her election rally for the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls.

While dismissing the plea, a division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya remarked:

"This is an old story...we have got better work to do, we hope you (counsel for petitioner) have got better work to do. You are needed in the other courts, to get relief for your clients."

Advocate General Kishore Datta appearing for one of the private respondents submitted that the plea was filed against the CM due to certain remarks she had made against a particular monk during her election rally.

Upon hearing the senior advocate, the bench recorded its order dismissing the plea.

"This PIL seeks directions to ensure the sanctity of the society at large and the people are maintained and no particular community is made an object of humiliation because of their affiliation to certain religious institutions...such matters cannot be dealt with in PIL jurisdiction" the Bench concluded.

Case: VHP Dakshinbanga v Union of India

Case No: WPA (P) 228 of 2024