Calcutta High Court Upholds Right to Peaceful March Amid Protest Over Doctor's Tragic Death

The Calcutta High Court has ruled against prohibiting a march to the West Bengal state secretariat 'Nabanna' on August 27, in protest of the rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The court emphasized the fundamental right to hold peaceful protests, referencing Supreme Court rulings.

The Calcutta High Court on Friday ruled against prohibiting a planned march to the West Bengal state secretariat 'Nabanna' on August 27, organized to protest the rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The court maintained that the fundamental right to peaceful protest cannot be curtailed.

A lawyer and Shibpur resident had filed a PIL, urging the court to ban the march in the vicinity of Nabanna without proper authorization. However, a division bench led by Justice Harish Tandon highlighted the ongoing public outrage since the tragic incident on August 9 and rejected the plea.

The bench, also comprising Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, cited Supreme Court judgements affirming the core fundamental right to peaceful protest. They also referred to a recent Supreme Court order which stated that the West Bengal government should observe necessary restraint in managing peaceful protests by civil society.

(With inputs from agencies.)