Is there ban on celebrating Tipu Sultan's birth anniversary, asks Bombay HC
Mumbai, Dec 12: The Bombay High Court on Thursday sought to know if there was a ban on celebrating 18th century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan's birth anniversary, and directed the Pune rural police to decide on a plea that sought to hold a rally to commemorate the occasion.
The court said concerns relating to law and order cannot be a ground to deny permission for a rally.
A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and S G Dige was hearing a petition filed by one Faiyaz Shaikh, the Pune unit president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) party, seeking a direction to the police to grant permission to hold a rally to commemorate the birth anniversaries of Tipu Sultan, freedom fighter Maulana Azad and also the Constitution Day.
As per the plea, the Pune rural police had refused to grant permission for the rally and asked the petitioner to celebrate the occasions at his private place and not in public place.
The police had claimed that such rallies would cause law and order problems.
The bench then asked if holding a rally for such events was prohibited.
"Is there a ban to celebrate the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan? We understand if the rally cannot be permitted in a particular area citing law and order. You (police) can always ask them (petitioner) to change the route," the court said.
The HC said the police can decide the route and if there was any use of derogatory language or any law and order problem, then necessary action could be taken as per law.
"There is no reason why they cannot be allowed to take out the rally. Law and order cannot be a ground to deny permission," the bench said.
Additional public prosecutor Kranti Hivrale told the court that there was no ban or prohibition but the concern was law and order situation.
At the court's request, Pune Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh appeared virtually.
The bench directed the petitioner to personally meet Deshmukh and decide on a route and area where the rally could be held and posted the matter for further hearing on December 17.
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Surveillance intensified in Bengal border districts as killers of Suvendu's PA may flee out of state
Kolkata (PTI): Police stations in border districts of West Bengal intensified surveillance and searches as investigators suspect the involvement of professional shooters from neighbouring states in the killing of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's close aide, a senior officer said on Friday.
The police are also investigating the role of local criminals who might have provided logistical support to the assailants, he said.
More than 36 hours after Adhikari's personal assistant Chandranath Rath was assassinated by motorcycle-borne gunmen at Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district, the police are yet to make any arrest.
“A detailed investigation is underway. The manner in which the attack was carried out suggests extensive reconnaissance and the possible involvement of hired sharpshooters from outside the state,” a senior police officer told PTI.
He also said all police stations in border districts have been alerted.
"Checks are being carried out at multiple points, and CCTV footage from areas along Jessore Road is being thoroughly scanned,” another senior officer said.
According to probe findings, the gunmen allegedly followed Rath’s vehicle before launching the attack.
“The escape route of the gunmen indicates that they were familiar with the locality, or local criminals might have assisted them. Without local support, fleeing through the lanes so quickly would have been difficult,” the officer added.
The police, however, are yet to ascertain the motive behind the murder.
The police and detective department officers have launched extensive searches in and around Madhyamgram near Kolkata.
Heavy deployment of police and central forces has also been made in the area since the murder occurred on Wednesday night.
"A motorcycle used in the crime was registered in 2012 in the name of a resident of Burnpur in Asansol. However, the police found that no person by that name currently resides at the address given during the vehicle registration process," another officer said.
