Calcutta HC declines TMC plea seeking restoration of Abhishek Banerjee office billboard

The Calcutta High Court on Friday declined interim relief to the Trinamool Congress over the removal of an allegedly unauthorised billboard at Abhishek Banerjee’s Camac Street office. The court said restoring the signboard at this stage would amount to granting final relief

Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Friday did not grant any interim order in a petition by the Trinamool Congress challenging the dismantling of an allegedly unauthorised billboard of the party at MP Abhishek Banerjee’s office here.

Noting that the signboard at the 9, Camac Street premises in south Kolkata had already been removed by the KMC on Thursday, Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury said there is no scope for granting any interim protection on the issue at present.

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“Though the petitioner would insist for restoration of the nameboard, I find that it is too premature to seek such a prayer. The same would tantamount to granting of a final relief at an interim stage which is not permissible in law,” the court observed in its order.

On the petitioner’s prayer for disclosure of the names of the KMC and police officials concerned, the court said that no order directing disclosure of particulars as sought can be passed.

Justice Basu Chowdhury also refused a prayer by the TMC for an order of injunction restraining the municipal authorities from taking any steps in respect of the premises at 9, Camac Street. “It is also well settled that an order cannot be passed on the basis of mere apprehension,” the court observed.

The court directed the respondents and the petitioner to file affidavits stating their contention and said the matter will be heard again upon mentioning by the parties.

Private guards at the office, his supporters and some party leaders scuffled with police and KMC officials on Thursday, trying to prevent them from entering the building on Camac Street and dismantling an “unauthorised” billboard.

However, the TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien, who was present at the spot during the raid, described reports of resistance attempts by private guards as “fake news”. He said the guards were posted on duty at the entrance of the building.

The billboard, bearing TMC signage, set up on an iron structure facing the road on the top floor of the building, was dismantled by the KMC personnel with assistance from the police. The police said that 13 people were arrested in connection with the incident.