Shubhendu Adhikari files PIL against Abhishek Banerjee for blocking highway during rallies

Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Shubhendu Adhikari on Thursday filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee in the Calcutta High Court.

In which he accused Abhishek Banerjee of obstructing national highways without permission during political rallies. As per reports, the matter is likely to come up for hearing on June 7 before a division bench of Calcutta High Court Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmoy Bhattacharya.

In the PIL, Shubhendu Adhikari's counsel has alleged that during Banerjee's ongoing public relations programme, she had held rallies on national highways at Itahar in North Dinajpur district and Farakka in Murshidabad district this month without prior permission. He said that according to the National Highways Act, 1956, it is an offense to take out a rally or procession by blocking the National Highways without prior permission.

Shubhendu Adhikari has filed another petition seeking permission to hold a political rally in Malda on May 27. His application for the rally was rejected by the district police on the grounds that permission was sought 15 days before the day of the event, following which he moved the court.

Shubhendu's counsel argued that since there was no provision for online application, there was delay. Recently, the police had also denied permission to Shubhendu Adhikari to hold a rally at Shyampur in Howrah district of West Bengal. But the BJP leader managed to attend the rally after taking permission from the court.

Justice Rajasekhar Mantha of the Calcutta High Court also questioned the reluctance of the state administration to allow rallies or public meetings, especially in the case of opposition parties or on any issue that goes against the state government. He also questioned why every time individuals or groups have to approach the court for permission.