WB govt to challenge HC verdict

The Calcutta High Court order that banned rallies and processions between 8 am and 8 pm in Kolkata on working days seems to have caught the state government off its guard. The government today indicated that it would appeal against the court order.

State Law Minister Nisith Nandan Adhikari today gave clear indications that the state government, which he called ‘‘the aggrieved party’’, ‘‘will move the court’s division bench against the order’’. Refusing to elaborate on what grounds the state government will move the division bench, Adhikari said: ‘‘When we have problems like unemployment and poverty, you cannot say that people will not

protest collectively.’’ The appeal might be filed after the Puja holidays, he said.

Asked on what grounds the state government has been termed the ‘‘aggrieved party’’, Adhikari only said: ‘‘After all, the state government is the law-enforcing agency.’’ Asked if that was the reason the state government didn’t agree with Justice Amitava Lala’s order that came yesterday, Adhikari said: ‘‘The matter is sub-judice.’’ State government pleader Rabi Lal Maitra told The Indian Express: ‘‘We’ll have to see if this order is in accordance with its jurisdiction.’’