Kolkata: In a landmark judgement, the Calcutta High Court on September 29 banned rallies and processions in the metropolis during working hours on weekdays, providing much-needed relief to the long-suffering Kolkatan.

Justice Amitava Lala in his order said that no rally or procession should be allowed on weekdays between 08:00 hours to 20:00 hours (IST) while hearing a suo motu contempt over disruption of traffic in the city for over two hours on September 24 in which the judge himself was also held up.

Justice Lala, who had initiated the contempt against the Kolkata Police Traffic Department after his car was not allowed to proceed to the court by a traffic sergeant on September 24, ordered that rallies and processions should only be allowed on Sundays and public holidays with prior permission and only at three designated venues.

The court-designated venues were the Brigade Parade Ground, the Shahid Minar and Rani Rashmoni Avenue, all in the Maidan area of the metropolis.

The court also directed that military parades would have to abide by the order and directed the Defence authorities to discuss the matter with the police to finalise modalities.

Justice Lala, who initiated the suo motu contempt when normal life in the metropolis was severely hit by rally of 24,000 tribals on September 24, was particularly annoyed at the manner in which rallies and processions were allowed on the streets.

The judge admonished the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic Department) and other senior officials, who appeared before him.

PTI