The Calcutta High Court has sought an affidavit from former Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee in connection with a contempt of court case linked to the July 21 ‘Martyrs’ Day’ rally. A division bench comprising Justice Arijit Banerjee and Justice Apurba Sinha Ray on Friday directed all parties involved to submit affidavits clearly stating their positions. According to court sources, the next hearing in the matter is scheduled for August, and all responses must be filed prior to that date.
The case pertains to an earlier directive issued by the High Court in 2018, which prohibited political meetings or rallies from completely blocking major city roads. The order aimed to minimise public inconvenience and ensure the smooth flow of traffic across Kolkata.
Petitioners have alleged that despite such directives, the TMC organised the July 21 rally — observed as ‘Martyrs’ Day’ — in 2015 in a manner that led to the obstruction of key arterial roads, causing significant disruption to daily life.
The first substantive hearing of the case took place on June 19 before the same bench, during which notices were issued to Mamata and TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, seeking their explanation for the alleged violation of court orders. During Friday’s proceedings, the bench clarified that their responses must be submitted in the form of affidavits rather than oral arguments.
The issue traces back to a Public Interest Litigation filed in 2015 by Akshay Kumar Sarangi, who raised concerns over frequent road blockades caused by rallies, processions, and public gatherings across Kolkata and its adjoining areas. The petitioner argued that such disruptions often brought traffic to a standstill for hours, severely impacting commuters.
He highlighted that ambulances carrying critically ill patients were delayed, office-goers faced repeated disruptions, and students were unable to reach schools on time— prompting the need for judicial intervention.
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