The Calcutta High Court on Thursday questioned the necessity of keeping Kolkata's Red Road closed for seven days ahead of the International Yoga Day event to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while directing the police to make effective alternative traffic arrangements for commuters and restore the road for public use immediately after the June 21 programme.

While refusing any interim orders, Justice Saugata Bhattacharya asked AAG Billwadal Bhattacharya why arrangements could not be made on the neighbouring Brigade Parade ground while keeping Red Road open.

When the AAG submitted that this was to celebrate the International Yoga day and that India would be leading the world from Kolkata, court questioned, "would the importance have been less if it was held at the brigade ground? Residents could get to use the road."

Court was hearing a petition filed by a lawyers' association challenging a notification issued by the Kolkata Police Commissioner prohibiting pedestrian and vehicular movement on Red Road from June 14 to June 21 for preparatory work relating to the Yoga Day celebrations.

Appearing for the petitioners, Senior Advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya argued that the police lacked authority to impose such prolonged restrictions on one of Kolkata's busiest arterial roads. Referring to the notification, he submitted that both pedestrians and vehicles had been barred from using the stretch for an entire week without adequate public notice.

"This is a very important road. To remain closed from 14 to 21? What is the authority of the police to do this continuous blocking?" Bhattacharya argued, adding that the closure was only for preparatory work for the Yoga Day event and not the event itself.

The Bench observed that while the programme itself appeared to be "apolitical", it was unusual for such an important road to remain inaccessible for an extended period. "At least the programme is apolitical. We are used to road blockade for political reasons," the Court remarked.

Bhattacharya responded that the event was "allegedly apolitical" and argued that the function could have been organised elsewhere without disrupting public movement. He also sought a direction confining the road closure only to June 21, stating that he had no objection if the road remained closed on the day of the event itself.

Questioning the maintainability of the petition, the Court initially asked how a lawyers' association was personally affected, observing that it was not hearing a public interest litigation. Bhattacharya replied that Red Road served as a lifeline for advocates travelling to the High Court.

The Court noted that if adequate alternative routes were available and judges accommodated lawyers facing delays, the immediate concern could be addressed. However, Bhattacharya maintained that the authorities were required to justify such extensive restrictions.

Observing that the challenge to the notification would require affidavits, the Bench said it could not examine the legality of the police order at the present stage given the urgency of the matter with the event only days away.

AAG appearing for the State, objected to the petition, contending that it was in the nature of a representative action. He submitted that the event was a State programme commemorating International Yoga Day and not a religious function. He further argued that Red Road belonged to the Indian Army, which had granted permission for the event, and pointed out that the Army had not been impleaded as a party.

When the Court asked why the event could not instead be held at Brigade Parade Ground while keeping Red Road open for commuters, the AAG replied that the Prime Minister, who is protected by the Special Protection Group (SPG), would be attending the programme and security protocols had to be observed.

During the hearing, the Bench repeatedly questioned the necessity of closing the road for seven days, remarking, "14-21 is not needed."

AAG maintained that SPG security requirements necessitated the arrangements and informed the Court that alternative traffic routes had already been put in place.

Disposing of the request for interim relief, the Court directed the police administration to make appropriate alternative arrangements to facilitate not only the petitioners but also the public at large in reaching their workplaces during the period of the closure.

The Court further directed that immediately after the conclusion of the Yoga Day event on June 21, the police must take prompt steps to reopen Red Road for public use.

The Bench clarified that since the petition challenges the validity of the Police Commissioner's notification, the issue would require consideration after the exchange of affidavits.