West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul on Sunday said that any violation of a Calcutta High Court order, irrespective of the person involved, "would not be tolerated", after an FIR was registered against former chief minister Mamata Banerjee over alleged violations during a Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) programme in Kolkata. Speaking to news agency ANI, Paul alleged that the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government had shown disrespect towards the Calcutta High Court and that judges were repeatedly insulted during its tenure. "Any violation of the High Court's order, whether by Mamata Banerjee or anyone else, will not be tolerated. The previous government showed disrespect to the High Court; judges were repeatedly insulted... now, such things will not be tolerated," Paul said.
Banerjee and organisers of the West Bengal Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (WBTMCP) programme have been booked by Hastings Police over the alleged violation of a Calcutta High Court order during the organisation's foundation day programme at Cathedral Road on August 28. According to police, the case was registered at Hastings Police Station on August 28 based on a written complaint submitted by Sub-Inspector Apu Baidya. The FIR includes Sections 61(2), 223, 125(a), 132 and 285 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to allegations including criminal conspiracy, disobedience of an order duly promulgated by a public servant, acts endangering life or personal safety, assault or criminal force against public servants, and negligent conduct with respect to public ways. Police alleged that Banerjee and the organisers violated an order passed by the Calcutta High Court in connection with WPA No. 21728 of 2026. According to the complaint, the programme was scheduled to be held from 12 noon to 3 pm under the permission and directions referred to in the complaint. Police alleged that the organisers continued the programme beyond the permitted time.
The complaint alleged that Banerjee and the organisers provoked supporters during the programme, following which the crowd pushed aside barricades put up by police. Supporters allegedly jostled with police personnel deployed at the venue, creating a chaotic situation, according to the police account. The gathering also allegedly obstructed vehicular movement on one flank of Cathedral Road. The Calcutta High Court had imposed conditions for the programme, with Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya directing on Tuesday that efforts be made to keep attendance within 1,500. The court had also directed police to ensure that law and order was maintained and that vehicular movement on one flank of the road was not affected.
West Bengal minister Indranil Khan also criticised Banerjee, alleging that she had repeatedly disrespected constitutional institutions and the judiciary. "Mamata Banerjee never respected the country's laws or its Constitution. Even while serving as Chief Minister, she made highly objectionable and disrespectful remarks against the Calcutta High Court and its judges. Today, although the people of West Bengal have removed her from the post of Chief Minister and she is no longer even an MLA, she remains unable to shed that mindset," Khan told reporters.
He further alleged that Banerjee had considered herself above the rule of law in the state. "She used to consider herself above the rule of law in West Bengal, and that attitude persists. Consequently, attacking the judiciary and violating the law have become habitual for her," he added. Police said the role of all those involved in the alleged violations would be examined during the course of the investigation, news agency PTI reported.
