kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata, June 19: The Calcutta High Court has issued notices to Trinamool Congress chief and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and party leader Abhishek Banerjee over allegations that major roads in Kolkata were blocked during the Martyrs’ Day programme held on July 21 last year. The case is linked to allegations of contempt of court, and the next hearing has been scheduled for July 3.

The matter was heard on Friday before the division bench of Justice Arijit Banerjee. The petitioner alleged that the Trinamool Congress violated guidelines issued by the High Court in 2018 while organising the July 21, 2025 programme at the Dharmatala area. It was alleged that the event resulted in severe disruption of traffic on several major roads of the city, causing significant inconvenience to daily commuters and ordinary citizens.

It is noteworthy that in 2018, a division bench comprising then Justice Jyotirmay Bhattacharya and Justice Arijit Banerjee had laid down important guidelines regarding the use of public roads during political meetings and rallies. The court had clearly stated that no major road could be completely blocked for the purpose of a political gathering or public meeting. A portion of the road must always remain open to ensure smooth movement of vehicles and the general public.

The High Court had further directed that uninterrupted movement of ambulances and other emergency services must be guaranteed. Authorities were instructed to arrange alternative routes whenever necessary and inform citizens in advance about such traffic arrangements. The court had also ordered that strict legal action should be taken against individuals responsible for any violence, vandalism, or disorder during political events.

These guidelines were issued in connection with a public interest litigation in which 38 political parties of West Bengal, including the Trinamool Congress, were made parties. At that time, the court had observed that large political programmes often created severe traffic congestion in Kolkata, placing ordinary residents, daily commuters, and emergency services under considerable difficulty. The court had emphasized that political activities should not interfere with the normal life and convenience of common people.

The present petition has alleged that the organisers ignored those guidelines while conducting the July 21 programme in 2025 and completely blocked roads in the Dharmatala area. Based on these allegations, the Calcutta High Court issued notices to Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, seeking their responses and asking them to clarify their stand on the matter before the next hearing.

The development has added a fresh legal dimension to the political discourse surrounding the annual Martyrs’ Day programme, with the court now set to examine whether its previous directives regarding public gatherings and road usage were violated.