5 days ago
Calcutta High Court Declines Interim Relief in Trinamool Billboard Row
City officials removed a billboard from a Trinamool Congress office in Kolkata.
They said the billboard was illegal because permission had not been obtained and taxes had not been paid.
Police went with the officials, and there were two scuffles with party workers.
The billboard was eventually taken down.
The party then asked the Calcutta High Court to put it back.
The court allowed the party to file its case but did not immediately order anything.
The judge said all sides must first submit written statements called affidavits.
Police also said that 13 party activists were arrested and that three cases were filed over the incident.
Kolkata Municipal Corporation removed an allegedly illegal billboard from Abhishek Banerjee’s Camac Street office on Thursday after two scuffles between police and Trinamool Congress activists.
The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress faction approached the Calcutta High Court on Friday, seeking the billboard’s reinstatement.
Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury allowed the petition to be filed but initially required registration and notification of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Kolkata Police.
After hearing the matter, the court declined to issue interim instructions, saying the case was premature until all concerned parties filed affidavits.
Kolkata Police said 13 Trinamool activists were arrested and three cases registered; two cases named several party leaders, while a third named unknown persons.
- Who
- The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress faction, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Kolkata Police and the Calcutta High Court; the dispute also involves Abhishek Banerjee’s office and several named party leaders.
- What
- A legal dispute over the removal of an allegedly illegal billboard, with the Trinamool faction seeking its reinstatement and interim court relief.
- Where
- The roof of Abhishek Banerjee’s office on Camac Street in central Kolkata.
- When
- The billboard was removed on Thursday evening; the petition was filed and heard on Friday.
- Why
- The Kolkata Municipal Corporation said the billboard lacked required municipal permission and associated tax payments; the Trinamool faction sought court intervention against its removal.
Trinamool Congress Faction
Civic and Police Authorities
Billboard reinstatement
Trinamool Congress Faction
The Mamata Banerjee-led faction asked the Calcutta High Court to restore the billboard after its removal from Abhishek Banerjee’s office.
Civic and Police Authorities
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation removed the billboard, stating that required municipal permission had not been obtained and taxes had not been paid.
Immediate court intervention
Trinamool Congress Faction
The faction sought an urgent hearing and interim relief in connection with the removal.
Civic and Police Authorities
The court declined interim instructions, saying affidavits from all concerned parties were needed before a detailed hearing.
Camac Street clashes
Trinamool Congress Faction
Trinamool Congress activists were involved in two scuffles with police during the removal operation, according to the reports.
Civic and Police Authorities
Kolkata Police reported 13 arrests and three cases connected with the incident, including cases based on complaints from police and KMC officials.
Key facts
- Billboard action
- Kolkata Municipal Corporation staff removed the billboard on Thursday evening.
- Petitioner’s request
- The Trinamool Congress faction asked that the billboard be reinstated.
- Court ruling
- Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury declined to issue interim instructions because the case was at a premature stage.
- Next procedural step
- The parties must file affidavits before the petitioner can seek a detailed hearing.
- Civic authorities’ position
- KMC said municipal permission and tax payments are required for hoardings or billboards, and that they were absent in this case.
- Police action
- Kolkata Police said 13 Trinamool Congress activists were arrested and three cases were registered.
- Cases named
- Two cases named Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O’Brien, Humayun Kabir and Baishwanar Chatterjee, among others; a third case was against unknown persons.
Sources
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