Kolkata: A Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court on October 2 refused to stay the order of Justice Amitava Lala banning rallies and processions in the metropolis from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm on weekdays, but allowed puja immersion processions.

The vacation bench, comprising Justice Alok Chakraborti and Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee, while refusing to stay Justice Lala's order, however, allowed the immersion processions of Durga Puja, Lakshmi Puja and Kali Puja festivals.

The bench directed that the appeal by West Bengal government against the order of Justice Lala would be heard by a regular bench after the puja holidays.

The state was permitted to move the vacation court if any exigency arose in the meantime.

The court declined to proceed with the appeal today as the signed copy of Justice Lala's order was not yet available.

Justice Lala had passed the order on a suo moto contempt initiated against the Kolkata police after he was held up on his way to the court on September 24 following a massive traffic jam caused by a rally.

PTI