Agency
new delhi, Dec 27
The Calcutta High Court has permitted senior doctors staging a sit-in protest at Dorina Crossing in Kolkata to continue their demonstration until December 31, subject to specific conditions. The doctors, who began their protest on December 19 with the High Court’s prior approval, had initially planned to conclude it on December 26.
The West Bengal Joint Platform of Doctors (WBJPD), the main organisers of the dharna, requested an extension via email to Kolkata police. However, the police declined their request, citing the court’s initial order. In response, the WBJPD approached the judiciary again.
Justice Prasenjit Biswas reviewed the protesters’ petition and granted a five-day extension on Thursday. The court imposed strict conditions, instructing that the gathering must not exceed 100 participants and prohibiting any provocative speeches that could disrupt law and order. The protest was also limited to the hours between 10am and 9pm.
The organisers of the dharna were also asked to clean the protest site as per the guidelines of the National Pollution Control Board and the National Green Tribunal after their demonstration ends on December 31. The Calcutta High Court has instructed the administration to deploy sufficient security personnel at the site to maintain peace and prevent any disturbances. Additionally, the administration has been directed to take all necessary measures to ensure that no untoward incidents occur.
The High Court verdict to allow the protests for five more days came as a huge relief to the doctors who were denied permission by the Kolkata police to hold their first round of protests as well.
The doctors’ body then approached the Calcutta High Court and got the clearance on December 19 to start their sit-in demonstration.
Citing concerns about traffic congestion, the police had challenged the earlier court ruling at a division bench. While the division bench upheld the single bench’s decision, it modified certain guidelines, including reducing the maximum number of participants allowed.
The sit-in protest is against the Central Bureau of Investigation, for its failure to file a supplementary charge-sheet in the rape and murder case of the trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
The protesters also want the West Bengal government to approve the prosecution of state officials.
