Kaushik Mishra And ANR v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

S/L 13 22.01.2026 Court. No. 25 sourav WPA 1178 of 2026 Kaushik Mishra & Anr.

Vs.

State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, Sr. Adv.

Mr. Samim Ahmed Ms. Ambiya Khatun Mr. Asif Ikbal Baidya Mr. Nasirul Haque Ms. Reshma Khatun ... for the petitioners.

Mr. Sirsanya Bandopadhyay, Ld. Sr. Standing Counsel Ms. Deboleena Ghosh ... for the State.

1.

The petitioners have filed the present writ application praying for a direction upon the Sub-Divisional Officer, Malda Sadar, Malda to allow the petitioners to hold a public meeting at Vrindabani Maidan at January 24, 2026 at 12.00 to 17.00 hours.

2.

Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners have made a representation to the SubDivisional Officer on December 29, 2025 for allowing the petitioners to hold the meeting but neither the petitioners have been allowed to hold the meeting nor any communication was made.

3.

Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that in paragraph no. 6 of the writ petition, it is categorically mentioned that on January 13, 2026 the Sub-Divisional Officer, Malda has orally informed the petitioners that it is not possible to allow the petitioners to hold the political meeting in the said ground. Accordingly, the petitioners have filed the present writ application.

4.

Today when the matter is taken up for hearing, learned counsel appearing for the State submits that in the said ground there is a cricket tournament of Malda Club and it is not possible for the SDO to allow the petitioners to hold the meeting in the said ground. When the petitioners came to know about the same, immediately, the petitioners have made representation to the SDO to allow the petitioners to conduct the meeting at Malda College ground.

5.

On receipt of the said representation, the SDO, Malda has informed that the Malda College ground is not under the SDO, a necessary permission is required to obtain from the Principal of Malda College.

6.

Learned counsel for the petitioners further submits that all the dignitaries are already made necessary arrangement to arrive at Kolkata to hold the meeting on January 24, 2026 at Malda. Accordingly, he prays for allowing the petitioners to hold the meeting in the Malda College Ground.

7.

Learned counsel for the State submits that he has no instruction whether the Principal of Malda College will grant permission to hold the meeting or not in the said ground.

8.

Considering the submission made by the learned counsel for the parties, this Court finds that the petitioners have made a request with the SDO, Malda on December 29, 2025 but the SDO, Malda has not made any communication informing the petitioners that the ground has already been booked for cricket

tournament. Today when the matter is taken up for hearing, learned counsel for the State submits that the ground has already been booked for the cricket tournament.

9.

This Court also finds that the petitioners have made necessary arrangement and persons are already reaching for holding the meeting. Accordingly, the Principal, Malda College is requested to allow the petitioners to hold the meeting at Malda College Ground on January 24, 2026 at 12.00 to 16.00 hours.

10. The petitioners are directed to maintain law and order and not to violate any law and order.

11.

The Sub-Divisional Officer, Malda and the concerned local police authorities are also directed to see that the meeting can be conducted in peaceful manner and the peace of the said area cannot be disturbed.

12.

WPA 1178 of 2026 is disposed of.

13.

Urgent photostat certified copies of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the parties upon compliance with all the necessary formalities.

(Krishna Rao, J.)