Kolkata: A division bench of the Calcutta High Court on October 13 stayed Justice Amitava Lala's order banning rallies and processions during specified hours in the metropolis on weekdays, until further orders.

The Bench, comprising Justice Ashok Ganguly and Justice S P Talukder, passed the order in response to an appeal, filed by the West Bengal with supplementary affidavits, challenging the single bench's order passed on September 29.

The Bench stayed all the directions of Justice Lala until further order.

The state was directed to file paper book by two weeks after the puja vacation. The High Court reopens after the vacation on October 27.

State's Advocate-General Balai Roy moved the appeal on behalf of the state government and submitted to the bench copies of the order of Justice Lala on the ban.

The Advocate-General submitted in the affidavit that several political parties and other organisations were asking for permission from the state government as well as the police for holding rallies and processions.

In the affidavit, the state sought a direction from the Court for a stay on the order of Justice Lala.

The Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee had issued a statement October 12 stating that the state would move the High Court vacation bench on October 13.

PTI