High Court rebukes MLA Harish Poonja for protest outside police station
asks him to refrain from acting like court
Bengaluru: Belthangadi MLA Harish Poonja faced severe criticism from the State High Court for staging a protest outside a police station, demanding the release of an individual arrested for illegal mining and stockpiling explosives.
A bench led by Justice Krishna Dixit, presiding over the petitions filed by MLA Harish Poonja contesting two FIRs against the police, expressed deep disapproval of the MLA's actions. The court questioned the appropriateness of an elected representative engaging in such protests, observing that individuals detained by the police have legal remedy through the local magistrate's court or habeas corpus petitions.
Justice Dixit further observed the importance of legislators focusing on lawmaking rather than interfering with police duties, urging MLA Poonja to refrain from acting like a court. The bench emphasized the need to protect law enforcement agencies and warned against any disruptions to their functioning.
The court also observed that while conflicts with the police may arise, it is crucial to uphold the rule of law and ensure due process for those arrested. Following arguments, the bench issued a notice to the government and instructed MLA Poonja to refrain from causing further disturbances until further notice, adjourning the hearing.
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Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee holds roadshow in south Kolkata to end campaign
Kolkata (PTI): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee undertook a roadshow in south Kolkata spanning over six kilometres on Monday afternoon at the fag end of campaigning for the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly election.
The TMC chief was accompanied by party Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose and candidates Aroop Biswas and Debasish Kumar from Tollygunge and Rashbehari, respectively.
People waiting on the roadside and on rooftops and balconies waved at Banerjee as she greeted them with folded hands, walking briskly, as her party compatriots had a tough time keeping pace with her.
The chief minister is contesting from the Bhabanipur assembly seat, where she is pitted against her bete noire, Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP, who defeated her in the 2021 elections in Nandigram.
Banerjee was subsequently elected from Bhabanipur in a byelection.
The roadshow started at Sukanta Setu in the Jadavpur area and culminated at Gopalnagar crossing, past her Kalighat residence, with two small stopovers in between.
TMC flags, festoons, cutouts of Banerjee and banners with slogans in favour of the candidates adorned the roadsides through which the road show passed and culminated at around 5.30 pm.
A large number of TMC supporters participated in the roadshow that Banerjee conducted to end her campaign for the 2026 assembly election in West Bengal.
