Insult to National Flag: Calcutta High Court expresses displeasure over Bengal government’s stand
Kolkata (IANS). The West Bengal government on Tuesday faced the ire of the Calcutta High Court over its alleged negligence in addressing a public interest litigation filed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.
The petition alleged disrespect of the tricolor in front of a school in Hooghly district on the occasion of Independence Day.
Chief Justice TS. Sivagnanam even asked whether the alleged negligence in addressing the issue was due to the person who has filed the PIL in the matter.
Justice Sivagnanam asked the counsel for the state government, don’t you think criminals should be punished?
When the counsel told the court that there was no desecration of the national flag, the Chief Justice questioned the arrest of 17 people that day.
He further said that giving political color to anything is not the right approach.
Justice Sivagnanam said, “The State has no reason to take a stand that there was no disrespect to the national flag, as the complaint in the matter was made by a political person.”
He also said that mere arrest of the accused persons is not enough.
Insisting on proper methods of investigation, the Chief Justice said that he would be fed behind bars for a few days. After that, being released on bail, they will roam freely.