Kolkata: A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday sought a report from the West Bengal government on the action taken over the attack on journalists from the joint rally organised by the students’ and youth wings of different Left Parties and Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Kolkata on July 24 against the NEET examination paper leak.
The single-judge bench of Justice Kishna Rao directed the state government to submit the report in the matter to the court within the next three weeks.
At the same time, the court also enquired about the state government’s position on the framing of guidelines to control rowdy activities over such meetings or processions.
A petition was filed at the Calcutta High Court against the reported attacks on the media persons from the said rally on July 24.
The petitioner had said that while he was not against the students’ movements on legitimate issues, the state government should formulate guidelines to prevent such rowdy activities from any such protest rally.
The petitioner also requested the court’s intervention to ensure necessary steps on part of the state government to ensure that no misdemeanours were committed over such processions.
The petitioner also drew the attention of the court so that if such rowdy activities occurred over any such protest march or rally, the responsibility of it should also be borne by the political parties or organisers concerned.
After an initial hearing in the matter on Wednesday, Justice Rao sought a report in the matter from the state government within the next three weeks.
Initially, the Kolkata Police arrested 16 persons accused of attacking the cops and the media persons from July 24 rally.
However, on Tuesday, the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Kolkata on Tuesday granted bail to 16 persons after the defence counsel cited the Supreme Court’s judgment, which forbade strict action against those involved in the movement.
On Tuesday, the state government also gave a notification.
On Tuesday night, the state government also issued a statement clarifying that no coercive action, including arrests, will be taken against students who participated in the joint rally.
However, the statement also noted that the above protection would not be extended to persons with criminal antecedents, as mandated in the apex court’s order.
(IANS)
