States » EastPosted at: Sep 17 2026 3:50PM


High court allows Mamata rally in Serampore with 1,000-person cap

Kolkata, Sep 17 (UNI) The Calcutta High Court permitted Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee to hold a public meeting at the Court Maidan in Serampore on September 26, subject to a series of conditions, including a cap of 1,000 people.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya on Wednesday allowed the meeting to be held from 4 pm to 6 pm on September 26, the fourth Saturday of the month, which is a court holiday.
The court also entrusted the Hooghly district judge and the inspector-in-charge of Serampore police station with ensuring security and maintaining law and order during the meeting.
The order came during the hearing of a petition filed by Trinamul MLA Asit Majumdar.
The proceedings witnessed a heated exchange between Trinamul lawyer and MP Kalyan Banerjee and the state's Additional Advocate General (AAG), Bilwadal Bhattacharyya.
The argument escalated into personal exchanges between the two lawyers.
Banerjee criticised the role of the Serampore IC and alleged police inaction, claiming that efforts were being made deliberately to prevent the meeting.
He referred to an alleged statement by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari that Mamata Banerjee would not be allowed to leave her residence and argued that the proposed restrictions were politically motivated.
Earlier, the court had allowed a plea by the Jagannathdev Snanghat Trust, following which the proposed venue at Snanghat Maidan could not be used because of objections from the principal owner.
The state administration subsequently suggested Jalkal Maidan and Delhi Road as alternative venues, but Banerjee's side rejected the proposals.
The state had sought to restrict the gathering to 700 people, citing security concerns and the possibility of overcrowding and stampede.
After hearing both sides, the court fixed the maximum permissible gathering at 1,000.
During the hearing, Justice Bhattacharyya also questioned Banerjee over allegations of political discrimination, asking Kalyan Banerjee whether the Trinamul government had allowed opposition parties to hold meetings over the past 15 years whenever they sought permission.
The court imposed several conditions on the meeting.
No more than 1,000 people will be allowed to attend, and the size of the stage must be kept small.
The organisers have been directed to submit the names and phone numbers of 10 party volunteers to the Serampore police station by 4 pm on September 24.
The court further directed that no provocative or objectionable remarks be made at the meeting and that sound regulations be strictly followed.
All decorative and electrical equipment must also be removed from the venue immediately after the meeting ends.
UNI SAG ARN
Tags: #High court allows Mamata rally in Serampore with 1#000-person cap
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