Allegations have surfaced over severe traffic congestion and public disruption on Cathedral Road, purportedly in violation of directives issued by the Calcutta High Court. In a significant development, Hastings Police Station has registered a suo motu FIR against former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in connection with the incident.

The incident dates back to August 28, when the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) observed its foundation day. The Calcutta High Court had granted conditional permission for the event, explicitly directing that at least one flank of Cathedral Road remain open to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow.

However, according to police sources, the directive was not adhered to. Thousands of supporters reportedly occupied both lanes of the arterial road, leading to a complete standstill and causing widespread inconvenience to commuters.

Eyewitness accounts and official inputs suggest that Cathedral Road was quickly overwhelmed by the swelling crowd. Within a short span, the area witnessed massive traffic congestion, with vehicles stranded for hours.

Traffic and law enforcement personnel reportedly struggled to restore normalcy as the situation spiraled, leaving commuters and residents grappling with the fallout of the disruption.

Alleged provocation from the dais

Police sources further allege that remarks made from the stage by Mamata Banerjee contributed to the escalation. It is claimed that her address to party workers energized the gathering, following which supporters allegedly broke through barricades and spilled onto the roadway.

The FIR, lodged by a Sub-Inspector of Hastings Police Station, details how the crowd allegedly defied restrictions and blocked the thoroughfare completely.
Reacting sharply to the incident, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari called for immediate legal action. On the day of the event, he urged police authorities to register an FIR and move the High Court against those responsible for violating its directives.

Adhikari asserted that individuals found guilty of flouting court orders and disrupting public life should face stringent consequences.

Rising tensions and legal implications

Political observers note that tensions between law enforcement agencies and the ruling Trinamool Congress have been mounting in recent times. The present development follows earlier friction linked to an incident on Camac Street, where the removal of hoardings reportedly led to obstruction of police duty and altercations.

The registration of a suo motu FIR against a former Chief Minister marks a significant escalation, adding a new dimension to the evolving political and legal landscape in West Bengal.

What lies ahead

With the matter now entering the legal domain, attention will be on how the case progresses in the courts. The developments are expected to further intensify political debate in the state, even as questions are raised over accountability and adherence to judicial directives.

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