The Calcutta High Court on Thursday restrained the West Bengal Police from taking any coercive action against Trinamool Congress MLA Paresh Ram Das.
Justice Saugata Bhhattacharyya passed the order on a petition moved by Das following registration of six criminal cases against him on May 16 at Canning Police Station. The interim protection is limited to the six FIRs.
“No coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioner without the leave of the court till 30-06-2026. However, investigations shall be carried out in accordance with law, and the petitioner shall cooperate with the investigating agency,” the Court ordered.
Further, the Bench granted a liberty to the State to seek a vacation of the interim protection in case he does not cooperate with the investigation.
The Court noted that out of the six cases, five pertained to incidents dating back to 2021.
It also expressed doubts regarding the genuineness of the sixth case.
“Prima facie it appears the petitioner’s name at the bottom of the complaint was written in a different manner. Since investigation is at a nascent stage, more than that, court is not making any observation,” the Bench said.
Senior Advocate Kishore Datta, representing Das, argued today that the FIRs were the outcome of political vengeance after the recent regime change in West Bengal. Datta added that most of the complaints dated back to 2021.
In response, Additional Advocate General Rajdeep Mazumder contended that heinous offences were alleged in the FIRs. However, the Court proceeded to grant interim protection to Das in the six FIRs, observing that the protection was not for an unlimited period.
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