The Calcutta High Court has directed police not to take any coercive action against journalists of Bengali newspaper Anandabazar Patrika in connection with FIRs registered over the use of the headline “Gerua Gundami” (saffron hooliganism). Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya issued the direction while hearing a petition filed by the journalists seeking protection from arrest. The order will remain in force until December 15.
The FIRs relate to the newspaper’s coverage of violence at Jadavpur University, involving members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the students of the varsity. The headline had also drawn objections from West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
The journalists challenged the criminal proceedings, arguing that they were being targeted over the headline used in their coverage of the university violence.
During an earlier hearing, Senior Advocate S.N. Mookherjee sought urgent intervention from the court and said the journalists had been accused of attempting to incite communal sentiments. Referring to three incidents, Mookherjee told the court that “two senior ladies have been hauled up” and sought protection for those facing the proceedings.
The matter was initially not listed urgently before the Chief Justice’s bench. The court noted that several petitions seeking quashing of criminal cases were already pending and directed the petitioners to follow the regular process, while allowing them to mention the matter again if necessary.
At a subsequent hearing before Justice Bhattacharyya, the State assured the court that no coercive action would be taken against the journalists, provided they cooperated with notices issued by the investigating authorities. The journalists were represented by Senior Advocates S.N. Mookherjee and Sandipan Ganguly, assisted by advocates Arunabha Deb and Ashika Daga. The matter will next be heard on December 1, while the protection from coercive action remains in place until December 15.
