M/S G Production v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

14-01-2022 ct no. 13 Sl.64 sp WPA 395 of 2022 M/s. G. Production

Versus

The State of West Bengal & Ors.

(Via Video Conference) Mr. Supriyo Chattopadhyay ...for the petitioner Ms. Chama Mookherji, Ms. Paramita Pal, Mr. Gourav Das ...for the State The writ petitioner is engaged in the entertainment business. He organizes reality and live shows and contests across the State.

The writ petitioner is aggrieved that the Krishnanagar Police have not granted permission for holding such shows. Counsel for the petitioner submits that his client has held one such event and has complied with all COVID protocols.

Ms. Chama Mookherji, learned counsel appearing for the State submits on instructions of Inspector-in-Charge, Kotwali Police Station, KPD, Nadia that no permission can be given to the petitioner since any control of the number of persons in the program is not possible. Therefore, COVID protocols would be breached and it would be extremely difficult for the police to control crowds. Ms. Mookherji submits that she and her client are

surprised as to how any programme was at all be held by the petitioner.

It is further submitted that the petitioner was required to have met the Inspector-in-Charge, Kotwali Police Station, KPD, Nadia for the aforesaid purpose which has not been done till date.

In that view of the matter, irrespective of whether the petitioner holds any such programme in future, a senior representative of the petitioner shall, within 48 hours, meet the Inspector-in-Charge, Kotwali Police Station, KPD and the Krishnanagar Police Station, Nadia and indicate what programme he has conducted, on what permission and from whom.

It is made clear that the petitioner shall not be entitled to conduct any programme except with the prior permission in writing of the I/O of the concerned Police Station.

The instructions of the Inspector-in-Charge, Kotwali Police Station, KPD, Nadia dated January 11, 2022 is kept with the record.

With the aforesaid observations, the writ petition is disposed of.

There shall be no order as to costs.

All parties shall act on the server copy of this order duly downloaded from the official website of this Court.

(Rajasekhar Mantha, J.)