Calcutta HC grants conditional nod to Mamata Banerjee's Kolkata rally
Synopsis
Denied police permission and blocked by CAPF the previous night, Mamata Banerjee secured a conditional court order allowing her Kolkata protest rally — capped at 1,000 people, two hours, and a single lane — over the reported rape and murder of a minor in Baruipur. The episode lays bare an escalating standoff between Banerjee's faction and the state's security apparatus.
Key Takeaways
The Calcutta High Court granted conditional permission on 7 July for a rally led by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata .
The rally route is restricted to Ballygunge Phari crossing to Hazra Crossing , limited to one lane , and capped at 1,000 participants .
Timing is fixed at 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm — a two-hour window.
On Monday , Banerjee's candlelight march from Kalighat was blocked by CAPF personnel; she and supporters crossed barricades to reach Harish Chatterjee Street .
A TMC delegation including Dola Sen , Pratima Mandal , and former Speaker Biman Banerjee visited Baruipur on Monday in connection with the minor girl's reported rape and murder.
A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday, 7 July granted conditional permission to a protest rally led by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata, with the demonstration centred on several public grievances — including the reported rape and murder of a minor girl in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas district.
How the Court Order Came About
After being denied police permission for the rally, Banerjee approached the bench of Justice Sougata Bhattacharya earlier on Tuesday, seeking an urgent hearing. The plea was admitted and taken up in the second half of the day, following which the court issued its conditional clearance after a detailed hearing.
Key Conditions Set by the Court
Justice Bhattacharya's bench imposed strict parameters on the rally. The route has been restricted to the stretch between Ballygunge Phari crossing and Hazra Crossing, both located in South Kolkata. The rally is permitted for a window of two hours, from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Participants must use only one lane of the road, keeping the adjacent lane open for vehicular movement, and attendance is capped at 1,000 people.
Monday's Blocked Procession
The court's intervention follows a confrontation the previous evening. On Monday, Banerjee had initiated a candlelight protest march from her residence at Kalighat in South Kolkata, only to be stopped by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel stationed near her home. Despite barricades, Banerjee and her supporters pushed through to the main road of Harish Chatterjee Street.
Party Delegation Visits Baruipur
Also on Monday, a delegation representing what is described as the 'original but minority' faction within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislative party — which retains allegiance to Banerjee and party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee — visited Baruipur. The group included Rajya Sabha member Dola Sen, Lok Sabha member Pratima Mandal, and former West Bengal Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee.
What Comes Next
With the court's conditional nod in place, the rally is set to proceed on Tuesday afternoon under judicial oversight. Whether the prescribed conditions — particularly the cap of 1,000 participants — can be enforced on the ground will be closely watched. The incident at Baruipur has already drawn significant political attention, and Tuesday's rally is expected to intensify pressure on the state administration.
Point of View
000-person cap and two-hour window are judicially prudent, but they also hand both sides a political narrative — Banerjee's camp will claim vindication, while those who denied permission will point to the court's own restrictions as proof of legitimate concern.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Calcutta High Court grant conditional permission for Mamata Banerjee's rally?
The Calcutta High Court granted permission after police denied Banerjee a no-objection certificate for the rally. Justice Sougata Bhattacharya's bench heard her urgent plea on 7 July and issued a conditional order allowing the protest to proceed with strict restrictions on route, timing, and crowd size.
What are the conditions attached to the court's permission?
The rally is confined to the stretch between Ballygunge Phari crossing and Hazra Crossing in South Kolkata, must run between 2.30 pm and 4.30 pm, is limited to one lane of the road, and cannot exceed 1,000 participants.
What triggered the protest rally?
The rally was called primarily in response to the reported rape and murder of a minor girl in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas district. Banerjee has cited this and other public issues as reasons for the demonstration.
What happened during Monday's candlelight march?
Banerjee began a candlelight march from her Kalighat residence on Monday but was stopped by Central Armed Police Forces personnel stationed near her home. She and her supporters crossed the barricades and reached Harish Chatterjee Street before the procession was halted.
Who visited Baruipur on behalf of the TMC?
Rajya Sabha member Dola Sen, Lok Sabha member Pratima Mandal, and former West Bengal Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee visited Baruipur on Monday. They represent the faction of TMC's legislative party that continues to back Mamata Banerjee and party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
