The Calcutta High Court has issued contempt of court notices to former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, who is the Trinamool Congress’ general secretary and Lok Sabha member. This action is in response to the Trinamool Congress annual Martyrs’ Day rally held in central Kolkata on July 21, 2025, which violated a 2018 court order prohibiting political parties from blocking major road junctions in the city. A recent contempt of court petition challenging the rally was presented before a division bench of the Calcutta High Court led by Justice Arijit Banerjee.
The division bench conducted a preliminary hearing on Friday and subsequently directed the issuance of contempt of court notices to both Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee. The next hearing on this matter is scheduled for July 3. In 2018, a division bench of the Calcutta High Court had ruled that political rallies should not obstruct significant junctions in the city. The court also mandated that a portion of the road must remain open for pedestrians and vehicles, ensuring free movement of ambulances and emergency services.
Furthermore, the 2018 court order required the police to notify the public in advance through the media about any traffic diversions during political events. Legal consequences were outlined for instances of vandalism, noise, or violence during political gatherings. A recent petition filed in the Calcutta High Court alleged a complete violation of the 2018 court order during the Trinamool Congress Martyrs’ Day rally last year. The petition claimed that the rally, organized by the previous ruling party, obstructed a crucial junction at Esplanade in Central Kolkata, causing significant inconvenience to the public.
Contempt of court notices have been served on Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee in connection with this new petition.
