Kolkata, September 18 (Daily Kiran) : The Calcutta High Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) on September 18, challenging the West Bengal government’s decision to paint public spaces and properties saffron. The bench, led by Chief Justice R.V. Ghughe and Justice Arijit Banerjee, ruled that the petitioner, a lawyer, failed to present a compelling case for judicial intervention.
The petitioner argued that the expenditure of government funds on this initiative lacked a clear public purpose, labeling it an unnecessary use of taxpayer money. Specific examples included the walls of the Academy of Fine Arts, a prominent cultural institution in Kolkata, which the petitioner claimed had been painted saffron. Additionally, the issue of a media organization’s gate being painted in the same color was raised in court.
Despite these claims, the bench concluded that the petitioner did not provide sufficient grounds for the court to intervene. Consequently, the court allowed the petitioner to withdraw the PIL, leading to its dismissal.
Just two days prior, the Calcutta High Court annulled a eviction notice issued by the West Bengal Fire Service regarding the office of Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Camac Street. Justice Krishna Rao directed the fire department to first inform the party of the inspection date before issuing any notices. The court also mandated that the fire department provide information about necessary fire safety measures for the office, after which the Trinamool Congress must take required safety actions. The court clarified that failure to comply with these guidelines could result in appropriate legal action by the fire department.
Abhishek Banerjee’s office had come under scrutiny last month when municipal employees and police removed an alleged illegal hoarding from the building’s roof.
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