Calcutta HC grants conditional permission for BJP’s rath yatra in state

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday, December 20 gave conditional permission to the Bharatiya Janata Party's Rath Yatra rallies, in West Bengal, saying the organisers will be liable for any untoward incident or damage to public property.

The Calcutta High Court’s permission came with multiple conditions after, setting aside the state government's refusal for the same on apprehensions of communal unrest

Acting on a petition filed by the BJP, Justice Tapobrata Chakraborty said the organisers have to inform the police superintendent of the district concerned 12 hours prior to taking out the yatra.

The party was also directed to ensure that the 'Yatras' are conducted abiding by the law and shall not impede normal movement of vehicular traffic.

Justice Chakraborty said that the petitioner BJP will be held responsible for any damage or loss of public property. He also directed that the police shall deploy adequate force to ensure that there is no breach of law and order.

The party had planned three 'Rath Yatras' from different parts of the state. The chariots were meant to travel across the state's 42 parliamentary constituencies over one-and-a-half months.

The state BJP had moved the court challenging the state government's denial of permission to its programme.