Calcutta High Court Directs Personal Appearance Of Traffic Police Sergeant For Forcibly, Illegally Seizing Lawyer's Driving License

The Calcutta High Court has directed the personal appearance of a Kolkata Traffic Police Sergeant who was accused of illegally and forcibly seizing a lawyer's driving license on Vidyasagar Setu, in Kolkata.

A single bench of Justice Amrita Sinha was also told that the sergeant in question had caused a similar incident with another lawyer, and on that occasion had taken a bribe of Rs 500 from him.

The Bench noted that the seized driving license was returned to the advocate in Court and held:

The respondent no. 10 is directed to remain personally present in Court on the adjourned date at 10.30 am. The respondent no. 10 is directed to file an affidavit apropos the statements made in paragraphs nos. 12 and 13 of the writ petition. 

It was alleged by the counsel that the police officer had illegally seized his driving license and demanded a sum of money from him for its release.

It was stated that even after being informed of settled case law on the subject, the police officer did not relent and seized the license anyway. 

It was also stated that the particular officer had a history of such offences, and had even refused notice of the present writ petition.

Accordingly, the bench adjourned the matter and called for an affidavit from the accused officer, as well as his personal appearance to respond to the allegations made in the writ petition.