Kolkata Police has registered a suo motu FIR against former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over allegations that a Trinamool Chhatra Parishad meeting near Birla Planetarium on Cathedral Road was held in violation of a Calcutta High Court order.
The case was registered at Hastings Police Station and also names the organisers of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad event. The meeting was held on Friday near Birla Planetarium.
What is the FIR against Mamata Banerjee about?
According to police sources, Sub-Inspector Apu Baidya submitted a written complaint on August 28. The complaint alleges that Mamata Banerjee and the event organisers violated the High Court’s directions and allegedly provoked supporters during the gathering.
Police have also alleged that the situation became disorderly during the meeting. Some supporters reportedly moved police barricades and were involved in scuffles with personnel deployed to maintain law and order.
Police allege High Court directions were not followed
The Calcutta High Court had directed that the meeting could be held on one lane of Cathedral Road, while the other lane was to remain open for vehicles.
Police have alleged that the arrangement was not followed during Friday’s meeting. According to the complaint, the lane beside the meeting venue was eventually blocked, leading to significant traffic congestion in the area.
The police have also alleged that the meeting continued beyond the time permitted by the High Court. The court had fixed the meeting period from 12 pm to 3 pm.
What charges are in the FIR against Mamata Banerjee?
Police sources said the FIR invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to criminal conspiracy, disobedience of an order issued by a public servant, acts endangering the life or personal safety of others, obstructing and using force against a public servant while on duty, and causing obstruction on public roads.
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The case has been filed against Mamata Banerjee as well as the organisers of the student body’s meeting.
What did Chief Minister say?
The FIR follows a statement by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikary, who had said after Friday’s meeting that police had been instructed to register a case against Mamata Banerjee.
Speaking after a Rakhi Bandhan celebration in Jadavpur, Suvendu said, “Did you see how the former chief minister violated the High Court order? She was asked to hold the meeting leaving one flank of the road. What did she do by calling people who were under the trees and getting the road blocked? I have told the police to register an FIR and move the High Court against her. She will not be spared.”
The police case now places the alleged violation of the High Court’s directions and the events surrounding the Cathedral Road meeting at the centre of the matter.