Kolkata Police has registered a suo motu case against former West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee for allegedly violating conditions laid down by the Calcutta high court for a Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) rally in Kolkata.
The case was registered at Hastings Police Station following the TMCP foundation day programme held on Cathedral Road on Friday, August 28. According to a police officer quoted by PTI, the FIR names Banerjee as well as the organisers of the event.
The Calcutta high court had permitted the TMCP to hold its foundation day programme but directed that one flank of the road be kept open. Police allege that the required flank was not kept open during the rally.
Authorities also alleged that the event continued beyond the time limit specified by the court.
“The FIR has been registered for the alleged violation of the court’s order. The role of all those involved in the violation will be examined during the course of the investigation,” the police officer said, according to PTI.
What happened at Mamata Banerjee’s rally?
Banerjee addressed a large gathering of TMCP supporters in Kolkata on Friday and launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led government and the police.
She accused the BJP of using the police to create fear among people and alleged that the force had become a “monstrous entity” under the BJP.
Banerjee also said she would oppose what she described as police atrocities against her supporters. Referring to her plans to tour West Bengal, she said she would take to the streets if permission for her public meetings was denied.
The TMC chief also criticised the Election Commission over the electoral roll revision process, alleging that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise was being used to remove large numbers of voters from electoral rolls.
Mamata targets BJP over rallies and evictions
Banerjee further criticised the state government over eviction drives against hawkers. She said she had no objection to removing hawkers from pavements if they were properly rehabilitated.
She also said that if rehabilitation was not possible, affected hawkers should receive compensation of ₹25,000 per month.
The latest FIR adds another legal and political dimension to the confrontation between the TMC and the BJP in West Bengal. The police investigation will now examine whether Banerjee and the other organisers breached the specific conditions imposed by the high court.
For now, the case is based on allegations of non-compliance with the court’s directions, and the investigation is expected to determine the role of each person named in the complaint.
