The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed the West Bengal government to submit a report on framing a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and statutory framework governing public meetings and rallies following the violence that broke out during a student protest in central Kolkata on July 24.
The direction came while hearing WPA 18728 of 2026 (Shiladitya Kar vs. State of West Bengal) before Justice Krishna Rao.
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The petitioner, senior journalist Shiladitya Kar, moved the High Court after he was among several journalists allegedly attacked by anti-social elements during the protest march.
What happened on July 24?
On July 24, Left-backed student and youth organisations organised a protest march from Sealdah to Esplanade (Dharmatala) over the alleged NEET question paper leak.
While the march concluded peacefully, alleged anti-social elements who had infiltrated the gathering allegedly attacked police personnel and journalists covering the protest. Several mediapersons sustained injuries, including senior journalist Shiladitya Kar.
Following the incident, Kar and other injured journalists were admitted to SSKM Hospital for treatment.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the hospital the same day to enquire about their condition and said attacks on journalists would not be tolerated.
The West Bengal Police subsequently launched an investigation and arrested several accused based on complaints filed by the journalists.
According to the petitioner, while arrests have been made, the incident exposed the absence of a comprehensive mechanism to regulate public rallies and ensure the safety of journalists and other participants.
Why did the matter reach the High Court?
Kar filed a writ petition seeking directions for a comprehensive SOP governing public meetings and rallies across the state.
Senior advocate Joydeep Kar submitted that although the state had taken prompt action by arresting several accused, a standard protocol was necessary to prevent similar incidents in future.
Advocate Sanjay Basu, appearing for the petitioner, later said the journalists were satisfied with the steps taken by the state so far but believed that a uniform guideline for both political and non-political gatherings would be in the larger public interest.
The petitioner also urged the court to consider fixing accountability on organisers if outsiders infiltrate a rally and trigger violence.
What did the High Court say?
After hearing the parties, Justice Krishna Rao observed that the state should first be given an opportunity to place its position before the court.
The court directed the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary of the state government to submit reports on the proposed guidelines and statutory framework governing public rallies.
The High Court also sought a status report on the investigation into the July 24 violence, during which journalists and police personnel were allegedly attacked.
Both reports are to be filed by August 25, when the matter will be taken up for hearing at the top of the day’s list.
State says it is willing to frame an SOP
However, the state’s Additional Advocate General Billwadal Bhattacharya argued that despite a similar directive having been issued earlier, no report from the previous government was presented in that regard.
Bhattacharya told the court that the current government was keen to draft an SOP for rallies and public meetings and is also looking at earmarking certain areas in Kolkata where such gatherings can take place.
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As per the state’s argument, a draft framework will be made and handed to the court on the next date of hearing.
Justice Rao said that once the draft will be provided by the state, it will be examined by the court and, if needed, other directions may be issued.
FAQs
Q1. Why has the Calcutta High Court asked for an SOP for public rallies?
This was done in connection with a petition which was filed in the wake of journalists being attacked during the rally held in July 24 in Kolkata.
Q2. What is the next date of hearing in this matter?
The Calcutta High Court will hear this matter on August 25, 2026.
