Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed the Bengal government to provide facilities enjoyed by state ministers to Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari.

Following a petition by Adhikari, Justice Rajasekhar Mantha also directed the government to ensure that loudspeakers were not used in the vicinity of his residence at Contai in East Midnapore after 8pm. The court ordered the state to install CCTV cameras in areas around the house.

The judge said the places where the CCTV cameras would be installed should be identified by state police and the CRPF.

The police were directed to keep the records of meeting and rallies held on roads near Adhikari’s residence with a clarification that those had necessary permission of the administration.

“The state government will have to keep in mind that the petitioner (Adhikari) is state Opposition party leader and deserves to obtain VIP treatment like a state minister,” judge said.

Thursday’s order followed a prayer by Adhikari who alleged that though he was the Opposition leader, the state authorities were depriving him of facilities that ministers enjoyed.

Adhikari specifically alleged that loudspeakers were being used in his residential area after 8pm in violation of the norms.

Tableau case

A public interest litigation was filed in Calcutta High Court, challenging the Centre’s decision to cancel Bengal’s tableau for the Republic Day parade in New Delhi this year. The case will be heard by the court on January 24.

The tableau features Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army in commemoration of his 125th birth anniversary.