Calcutta High Court Seeks State's Reply On Guidelines Governing Police Action During NEET Protests, Status Report On Violence

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed the West Bengal Government to file a report detailing the guidelines and protocol followed by the police while dealing with public protests and demonstrations. The Court also sought a status report on the investigation into the violence that erupted during the July 24 protest over the alleged NEET paper leak in Kolkata.

Justice Krishna Rao passed the directions while hearing a writ petition filed by a journalist who claimed to have sustained injuries while covering the protest. The petitioner alleged that the police resorted to excessive force during the demonstration, causing injuries to protesters, journalists and bystanders.

During the hearing, Justice Rao directed the State to place on record the existing guidelines, standard operating procedures or other norms governing police action during protests and public demonstrations. The Court sought to ascertain the legal and administrative framework under which the police regulate assemblies and use force while maintaining public order.

The Court also directed the State to file a status report indicating the progress of the investigation into the July 24 violence. The report is expected to disclose the steps taken in the probe and the action initiated against those responsible for the incidents of violence.

According to the petition, the journalist was assaulted while reporting on the protest organised by Left student organisations over the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. The plea contended that the police response was excessive and sought judicial scrutiny of the incident along with measures to ensure accountability and prevent similar occurrences in future.

During the proceedings, the Court observed that the issue raised in the petition extended beyond the individual grievance of the petitioner and concerned the manner in which protests are regulated by the police. In that backdrop, it called upon the State to disclose the guidelines, if any, governing police action during demonstrations.

The matter has been directed to be listed after the State files the reports sought by the Court.

Case No: WPA/18728/2026

Case: SHILADITYA KAR VS STATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS.