The Supreme Court of India has directed the Calcutta High Court to hear and decide on the Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) plea concerning the removal of its name board from the party’s office on Camac Street, Kolkata. This decision came on Monday when the apex court declined to entertain the plea directly, opting instead to allow the High Court to resolve the issue expeditiously.
Supreme Court’s Decision
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, advised the parties involved to present their arguments before the Calcutta High Court, where the matter is already under consideration. The bench emphasized the need for a swift resolution, stating, “The parties are granted liberty to raise their respective contentions before the High Court. We request the High Court to determine all the issues that arise for consideration expeditiously.”
Background
The controversy began when officials from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, accompanied by police, reportedly removed a billboard bearing TMC’s name from its Camac Street office without prior notice. TMC had previously approached the Calcutta High Court seeking interim relief but was unsuccessful, prompting the party to take the matter to the Supreme Court.
Arguments Presented
During the proceedings, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing TMC, contended that the Calcutta High Court had already dismissed the party’s case on the grounds that the action had already been executed. Sibal argued, “The High Court says that no cause of action survives because the signboard has already been removed.”
However, CJI Surya Kant pointed out that the core grievance remains unresolved despite the removal, asserting, “Merely because it has been removed does not mean that your grievance has been satisfied. If your claim is accepted, the High Court will have to grant you liberty to raise the issue.”
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Next Steps
TMC’s legal counsel is seeking the restoration of the billboard, arguing that the removal was conducted without due notice and was not justified merely by its occurrence. Sibal further highlighted, “This is a registered political party. Its name was displayed on the building and was removed without notice. A commercial establishment’s name would not be removed in this manner.”
The Supreme Court’s directive now mandates the Calcutta High Court to revisit the matter and consider the grievances presented by the TMC, ensuring that due legal processes are followed.
