Calcutta High Court on Friday ordered police not to prevent the leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, from visiting governor C.V. Ananda Bose, along with those who allegedly faced atrocities after the notification of the general election.

Adhikari was asked by Justice Amrita Sinha to write a fresh application to the police, stating the time of the visit and also the names and contact details of people who wanted to accompany him to Raj Bhavan.

Adhikari will also have to inform the police about the number of vehicles and where they will be parked.

The judge said: “After receiving all the information, police will ensure that the Opposition leader can visit the governor.”

The order followed a petition by Adhikari, alleging the police did not allow him to enter Raj Bhavan and meet Bose on Thursday, although the latter’s office had given its approval.

Appearing for Adhikari, advocate Biswaroop Bhattacharya said the leader of the Opposition in the Assembly has the right to meet the governor at any time.

“Ruling party members can stage demonstrations in front of the Raj Bhavan gate. But when the leader of the Opposition and members of his party assembled there, police arrested them saying that area is under Section of the 144 CrPC,” claimed Bhattacharya.

Appearing for the state, advocate general Kishore Datta said Adhikari and the people accompanying him were prevented for Bose’s security. Datta said according to the rules, the leader of the Opposition in the Assembly should inform police about his movements.

“But about the particular programme, police were not informed in advance. Moreover, Adhikari and his men declined to vacate the road when they were asked to do so, for the movement of a police officer,” Datta informed the court.

After hearing both sides, Justice Sinha issued the order.

TMC cries attack

A team of Trinamool Congress leaders, including Kunal Ghosh and state forest minister Birbaha Hansda, on Friday met the victims of BJP’s alleged post-poll violence in East Midnapore’s Khejuri following instruction of Mamata Banerjee.

The Trinamool leaders assured the victims that the party was with them and asked police to arrest all the accused within 72 hours. In a veiled threat to the BJP, Ghosh urged party workers to make a list of those goons who had mounted attacks on them.
“Dont feel intimidated by the BJP. Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee are with you. The BJP is rattled after Lok Sabha elections. You prepare a list of those who attacked you and submit it to the police,” Ghosh said.

Additional reporting by
Snehamoy Chakraborty