A fresh political confrontation has erupted in West Bengal as the Hastings police station registered a formal FIR against former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the organizers of the West Bengal Trinamool Chhatra Parishad or WBTMCP. The legal step comes in the wake of alleged violations of Calcutta High Court directives during the foundation day celebrations held on Cathedral Road in Kolkata. According to official police records, the case has been initiated under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Allegations of Flouting Judicial Directives
According to the official complaint, the former Chief Minister allegedly conspired with the event organizers to bypass the legal parameters set by the court. The controversy centers around the directives and permissions tied to WPA number 21728/2026 issued by the Calcutta High Court. Police notes indicate that the gathering was legally permitted to run exclusively between 12 PM and 3 PM on August 28, but the schedule was openly disregarded.
Crowd Unrest and Traffic Disruptions
Law enforcement authorities have alleged that leaders and organizers incited supporters during the gathering, leading to aggressive behavior from the crowd. Participants reportedly dismantled police barricades and engaged in physical scuffles with duty personnel deployed to maintain public order, creating chaotic scenes across the neighborhood. Furthermore, the surging crowd blocked a critical section of Cathedral Road, obstructing vehicular movement and triggering massive traffic gridlocks.
Extended Timelines and Invoked Charges
Police further stated that the program continued well beyond the time limit sanctioned by the judicial authorities. Consequently, charges under BNS sections 61(2), 223, 125(a), 132, and 285 were slapped based on a written complaint filed by Hastings police station sub-inspector Apu Baidya, registering case number 112. These provisions address criminal conspiracy, disobedience of lawful public servant orders, acts endangering personal safety, assaults on public officials, and negligent conduct on public thoroughfares.
Trinamool Congress Alleges Political Vendetta
Strongly condemning the police action, the Trinamool Congress hit back, labeling the FIR as an act of political retribution driven by fear. Voicing sharp criticism, Abhishek Banerjee wrote on X that constitutional governance is witnessing a continuous decline while the state rapidly slips toward a police state. He emphasized that when executive authority operates unchecked, the judiciary remains the ultimate shield protecting citizens and democratic survival.
