Calcutta HC seeks report on all egg-throwing incidents targeting TMC leaders
Seeking two weeks' time, the state's Additional Advocate General said FIRs were being registered and investigated and that action was being taken against the accused. He assured the bench that the government would place on record the steps taken by the police.
The Calcutta High Court has sought a report from the West Bengal government on every alleged egg-throwing incidents targeting Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders since the party's rout in the 2026 Assembly elections. The court also directed the state government to inform it about the number of FIRs registered in connection with such incidents.
The direction came while a division bench of Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee was hearing a petition filed by advocate Danish Farooqui, representing TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, over the alleged attacks and egg-throwing incidents targeting party leaders.
The bench further directed the Kolkata Police Commissioner to frame specific guidelines for all police stations to prevent such incidents.
"If the Police Commissioner does not have guidelines in place, such incidents will continue. We will direct the Police Commissioner to frame guidelines for all police stations so that the police can act accordingly," Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty observed.
During the hearing, the West Bengal government maintained that it did not endorse such acts and told the court that police were acting wherever complaints were being received.
Seeking two weeks' time, the state's Additional Advocate General said FIRs were being registered and investigated and that action was being taken against the accused. He assured the bench that the government would place on record the steps taken by the police.
The petitioner's counsel, senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, however, argued that the police were failing to act and sought an immediate interim order.
Alleging that a state minister was inciting people to throw eggs and that bulldozers were being used in the presence of an MLA, he told the court, "The police are helping them. They are encouraging mob lynching... We will produce video evidence to establish this."
Responding to the plea, Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty said, "We will issue directions to the state government, but it is not possible to pass an interim order at this stage."
The bench also observed that enforcement alone would not be sufficient and stressed the need for public awareness.
"It is not only about taking action; there is also a need to create awareness among the public," Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty said.
Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee also underscored the need to protect citizens' rights, observing that "Human rights must be ensured for everyone. There should be no laxity in this regard."
Kalyan Banerjee further alleged that people were being publicly humiliated and questioned whether the rule of law still prevailed in the state. Referring to the recent incidents, he said the airport had become a flashpoint where "as soon as someone comes out, they are surrounded, eggs are thrown at them, and they are abused."
Appearing for another party, Rajdeep Majumdar submitted that police could not act unless complaints were formally lodged, though he also argued that aggressive mobs were carrying out such attacks despite security arrangements.
The High Court has directed the state government to file an affidavit and a report detailing the steps taken in connection with the incidents. The matter will next be heard on July 20.
The Calcutta High Court has sought a report from the West Bengal government on every alleged egg-throwing incidents targeting Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders since the party's rout in the 2026 Assembly elections. The court also directed the state government to inform it about the number of FIRs registered in connection with such incidents.
The direction came while a division bench of Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee was hearing a petition filed by advocate Danish Farooqui, representing TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, over the alleged attacks and egg-throwing incidents targeting party leaders.
The bench further directed the Kolkata Police Commissioner to frame specific guidelines for all police stations to prevent such incidents.
"If the Police Commissioner does not have guidelines in place, such incidents will continue. We will direct the Police Commissioner to frame guidelines for all police stations so that the police can act accordingly," Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty observed.
During the hearing, the West Bengal government maintained that it did not endorse such acts and told the court that police were acting wherever complaints were being received.
Seeking two weeks' time, the state's Additional Advocate General said FIRs were being registered and investigated and that action was being taken against the accused. He assured the bench that the government would place on record the steps taken by the police.
The petitioner's counsel, senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, however, argued that the police were failing to act and sought an immediate interim order.
Alleging that a state minister was inciting people to throw eggs and that bulldozers were being used in the presence of an MLA, he told the court, "The police are helping them. They are encouraging mob lynching... We will produce video evidence to establish this."
Responding to the plea, Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty said, "We will issue directions to the state government, but it is not possible to pass an interim order at this stage."
The bench also observed that enforcement alone would not be sufficient and stressed the need for public awareness.
"It is not only about taking action; there is also a need to create awareness among the public," Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty said.
Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee also underscored the need to protect citizens' rights, observing that "Human rights must be ensured for everyone. There should be no laxity in this regard."
Kalyan Banerjee further alleged that people were being publicly humiliated and questioned whether the rule of law still prevailed in the state. Referring to the recent incidents, he said the airport had become a flashpoint where "as soon as someone comes out, they are surrounded, eggs are thrown at them, and they are abused."
Appearing for another party, Rajdeep Majumdar submitted that police could not act unless complaints were formally lodged, though he also argued that aggressive mobs were carrying out such attacks despite security arrangements.
The High Court has directed the state government to file an affidavit and a report detailing the steps taken in connection with the incidents. The matter will next be heard on July 20.
