The Hindu : Calcutta HC bans rallies on weekdays

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 30, 2003

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National

Calcutta HC bans rallies on weekdays

By Our Special Correspondent

Kolkata Sept. 29. The Calcutta High Court today ordered a ban on rallies and processions in the city on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. The order passed by Justice Amitava Lala requires the party and organisation desiring to hold a rally or procession to pay a security deposit with the police.

Today's order was the outcome of a suo motu contempt initiated by the Justice himself on September 24 when he was caught in a traffic jam allegedly caused by a few tribals.

The tribals, under the banner of the Adivasi Socio-Educational and Cultural Organisation, who had assembled in the Sealdah and Howrah stations, were proceeding toward the central part of the city to participate in a rally. Mr. Justice Lala apart, a few other High Court judges, court officers, lawyers and litigants were caught in the jam.

The order said political parties would be able to hold rallies on Sundays and on public holidays with police permission. The processions, the order said, should move in an orderly manner and not obstruct traffic.

Mr. Justice Lala said that if anyone was affected by rallies or processions, he or she would be in a position to move the appropriate court for compensation. Such a suit would have to be disposed of within three months.

The court also directed that military parades would also be required to abide by the order. The defence authorities were directed to discuss the issue with the police to finalise modalities.

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