 and their associates to hold a peaceful rally on October 1, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.){kind=link}
The Calcutta High Court has granted permission to the Joint Platform of Doctors (JPD) and their associates to hold a peaceful rally on October 1, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The rally is being organized to protest the recent sexual assault of a female doctor while on duty at R.G. Kar Medical College. The decision was made in response to a writ petition filed by JPD, an umbrella organization representing the Association of Health Service Doctors, West Bengal, and its members.
Court’s Directive: Rally Conditions and Route
Presiding over the matter, Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj allowed the petitioners to conduct the rally, which will follow the route from College Square to Rabindra Sadan via Central Avenue and Esplanade. The court emphasized that the petitioners must comply with all conditions set for holding such rallies and ensure that the demonstration does not cause undue disruption to the public. The court further instructed the petitioners to provide a sufficient number of volunteers to manage their supporters, ensuring the event remains peaceful.
Background: Petition Against Police Restrictions
The petitioners had previously approached the Kolkata Police Commissioner on September 26, 2024, seeking permission to organize the rally. In response, the Joint Commissioner of Police granted approval but limited the number of participants to 1,000 and requested that the rally be held either before 5:00 p.m. or after 7:00 p.m. to minimize inconvenience to the general public, as October 1 is a working day. Dissatisfied with these restrictions, particularly the time curtailment and the cap on participants, the petitioners moved the High Court.
Security Arrangements
The court also directed the police authorities to make appropriate security arrangements under the supervision of the Joint Commissioner of Police, Headquarters, Lal Bazar, Kolkata. The court further requested that the organizers communicate the names of those responsible for overseeing the rally to the Joint Commissioner.
The High Court disposed of the petition, permitting the rally under specified conditions and directing the police to ensure a peaceful and secure environment during the demonstration.
Case Title: Joint Platform of Doctors & Anr. v. State of West Bengal & Ors.