Calcutta High Court Directs No Coercive Action Against Teachers Whose Agitation Led To Violent Clashes With Police

The Calcutta High Court has ordered the police not to take any coercive action against certain protesting teachers who were involved in skirmishes with police authorities after their protest outside the state education department turned violent. The Court also directed the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education not to give effect to show cause notices issued to the teachers either.The order was passed by a bench consisting of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh.Counsel for the petitioners submitted that pursuant to the directions passed by this Court, the petitioners have met with the Investigating Officer of the case and cooperated in the investigation.Having considered the incidents which have taken place in the vicinity of the area where the members of the 'Jogya Sikkhok-Sikkhika Adhikar Mancha (2016 SLST)' were carrying out their agitation, the State has taken out an application being affirmed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Detective Department, Bidhannagar wherein they have approached this Court for certain inconveniences that have been caused as an outcome of the agitation.As an interim measure, the court passed the following directions:(i) The agitators of 'Jogya Sikkhok-Sikkhika Adhikar Mancha (2016 SLST)' if they intend to continue their agitation/protest, they would continue the same at the Central Park tending towards the opposite side of Bikash Bhawan.(ii) It is further directed that on a rotational basis 200 members at a time would be present at the place of agitation. In case, there are other sympathizers approaching the agitators the same would be communicated to the police authorities present at the site and it would be mutually decided by the police authorities and the members of the organization to permit such individual at the site of protest.(iii) In view of the issues relating to protest, State is directed to treat the petitioners/agitators with a human face and to that extent, if it is possible, the concerned administration would see to that a temporary structure is made available to the agitating members so that the scorching heat do not affect the health of the individuals concerned.(iv) The municipality would arrange for drinking water facilities and bio-toilets. (v) 'Jogya Sikkhok-Sikkhika Adhikar Mancha (2016 SLST)' are directed to furnish names of 10(ten) members to the Assistant Commissioner of Police North, Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate in course of the day for the purpose of regular communication and correspondence.(vi) As there have been no further complaints till date after a sporadic incident on 15.05.2025, I direct the police authorities to go slow in respect of all the accused persons associated with Bidhannagar North PS Case No. 57/25 including the present petitioners. If any individual is called in connection with the aforesaid case he would cooperate with the investigation of the case. However, the police authorities will not take any coercive steps against any accused including the petitioners till further orders of this Court.In considering the apprehensions expressed by the 'Jogya Sikkhok-Sikkhika Adhikar Mancha (2016 SLST)' and the State, the court directed that there should not be any violation of the law and order within the jurisdiction of Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate.Further, it directed that the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education will not give any effect to the show-cause notices issued to the individuals pursuant to the incident of 15.05.2025.Case: Sudip Konar & Anr. Versus State of West Bengal & Ors. Case No: W.P.A. 11422 of 2025Click here to read order

Calcutta High Court Directs No Coercive Action Against Teachers Whose Agitation Led To Violent Clashes With Police

Srinjoy Das

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