Kolkata Police Commissioner appears before HC

The Calcutta High Court on Friday criticised Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, with Justice Joymalya Bagchi saying that "the dignity of the Court should be protected."

"If the senior police officer like the Commissioner of Kolkata police dishonours the dignity of the court, then the trend would be followed by the lower rank officers. What would the lower rank officers take from the behaviour of police commissioner," the Justice Bagchi questioned.

It may be recalled that the Calcutta High Court had summoned the Kolkata Police Commissioner, seeking an explanation on the issue as to why the right-wing organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was not given permission to conduct a rally at Brigade Parade Ground.

Kolkata Police had earlier refused to grant permission to RSS. Later, the organisation moved the Court against the police's decision.

The Court asked the police to review RSS's appeal to conduct the rally at Brigade Parade Ground. However, one Joint Commissioner of Kolkata police reportedly again cancelled the appeal by RSS for going ahead the rally without discussing it with the Commissioner.

During the hearing, the state counsel submitted before the Court that there was a shortage of policemen due to Ganga Sagar Mela. In reply, Justice Joymalya Bagchi questioned as to how does police tackle similar situations when Durga Puja is organised at different places.

The rally eventually took place, but the Court also directed RSS that there should not be a gathering of more than 4,000 people and only invitees can attend the programme.