Calcutta HC Permits Doctors' Rally on October 1 Over RG Kar case
Calcutta HC Permits Doctors' Rally on october 1 Over RG Kar case
The calcutta High court has granted permission for the Joint Platform of Doctors (JPD) to hold a rally in kolkata on october 1 to protest the rape-murder of a trainee medic at RG Kar hospital.
Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj ruled that the rally could take place from 5 PM to 8 PM, starting at college Square and ending at Rabindra Sadan, via Central Avenue and Esplanade. Despite police requests to limit the number of participants and the length of the route, the court imposed no such restrictions.
The court instructed authorities, under the supervision of the joint commissioner of police (headquarters), to ensure adequate security measures are in place for a peaceful event. Justice Bharadwaj also urged the rally organizers to provide enough volunteers to help manage the crowd and maintain order.
The JPD, which represents the Association of health Service Doctors, had initially sought permission from the kolkata police for a rally of around 50,000 participants. However, the police limited attendance to 1,000 participants and altered the route to rani Rashmoni Avenue at Esplanade.
Challenging the police's restrictions, the JPD argued that participants join protests voluntarily, and thus limiting numbers is unjustified. In response, Advocate General kishore Dutta maintained that the state has the authority to regulate rallies and demonstrations.
Justice Bharadwaj referenced the supreme Court's stance that peaceful protests should be respected, particularly in light of the RG Kar case. The tragic incident involved the body of a postgraduate trainee being discovered with severe injuries at RG Kar Medical college and Hospital on august 9.