Calcutta High Court Grants Permission for Suvendu Adhikari's Protest Against Zoo Land Commercialization
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Kolkata, Jan 10 (NationPress): A division bench of the Calcutta High Court ruled on Thursday to uphold the prior decision made by a single-judge bench, granting Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, the right to organize a protest rally in Kolkata on Friday. This rally aims to address the alleged commercial use of land within the iconic zoological garden located in Alipore.
Initially, the Kolkata Police had denied permission for the rally, which was intended to start from Rabindra Sadan and proceed to the National Library situated across from the zoological garden. Consequently, the rally organizers sought permission from the single-judge bench led by Justice Jay Sengupta.
On Wednesday, the Justice Sengupta bench granted authorization for the rally.
However, on Thursday morning, the state government challenged this ruling before the division bench, presided over by Justice Harish Tandon.
The state government’s counsel contended that due to the Gangasagar Mela, police resources were stretched thin, making it impossible to provide adequate security for the planned rally.
Additionally, the counsel questioned the organizers' understanding of the term "commercial use of zoo land".
"Protests cannot be held for every matter. Will there be a protest now regarding the color of the high court building?" remarked the state government counsel.
Despite these arguments, the division bench ultimately granted permission for the rally.
It was stipulated, however, that the protest should not impede traffic flow or obstruct emergency vehicles, such as ambulances.
Moreover, the division bench cautioned that no inflammatory statements or slogans should emerge from the rally.
