The Calcutta High Court on December 4 directed an interim stay on notices issued by Kolkata Police to several BJP MLAs over an FIR alleging that they disrespected the national anthem when it was being sung on the West Bengal Assembly premises. The Kolkata Police had issued notice to BJP MLAs, including party’s chief whip Manoj Tigga and MLA Sankar Ghosh, to appear before its officials on Monday.
Mr. Ghosh and others moved the High Court, praying for the quashing of the FIR lodged against the saffron party legislators. Justice Jay Sengupta ordered an interim stay on the notices to the BJP legislators, for appearing before the police, till December 7. FIRs were registered at the Hare Street police station on the basis of a complaint filed by an official of the State Assembly.
The Trinamool Congress legislators had held protests under the Ambedkar Statue from November 28-30, demanding the release of funds to the State under key schemes like MGNREGA. It was at the same venue that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged legislators to sing the national anthem and the BJP MLAs did not stand up, attracting the FIR by Kolkata Police.
