The Calcutta High Court asked the West Bengal government for reports on the legal framework governing public rallies and the investigation into the violent attacks on journalists during the July 24 protest in Kolkata.
WPA 18728 of 2026, filed as Shiladitya Kar versus the State of West Bengal, came up before Justice Krishna Rao on Thursday, after the petitioners moved the matter alleging that journalists were brutally attacked during the Kolkata protest on July 24.
According to the submission placed before the court, the violence took place when anti-social elements infiltrated a students’ protest and turned on members of the media covering the demonstration.
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Court seeks the State’s response
During the hearing, the court indicated that the state should first be given an opportunity to place its position on record before any order is passed.
The judge stated that the government should submit a report on the existing statutory framework as well as the standard operating procedure, or SOP, applicable to such situations.
The matter also involved a direction to the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary to file reports on the framing of guidelines or a statutory framework governing public rallies.
Rules of the road under scrutiny
The writ arose from the attack on journalists during the July 24 protest in Kolkata and sought judicial scrutiny of the circumstances under which the assault took place.
The State was also asked to place before the court a status report on the stage of the investigation into the incident.
The court’s focus, as reflected in the hearing note, was not only on the alleged attack itself but also on the broader question of how public rallies and protests are regulated under the existing legal and administrative system.
The reports have been directed to be filed by August 25, 2026, when the matter is scheduled for further hearing.
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FAQs
Q1: Why did the court seek reports in the July 24 journalist attack case?
The court directed the State to submit reports on the statutory framework for public rallies, the applicable SOP, and the status of the investigation into the July 24, 2026 incident.
Q2: When is the next hearing in the Shiladitya Kar vs. State of West Bengal case?
The matter is scheduled to be heard on August 25, 2026, when the State is expected to file the required reports.
