Kolkata, July 8 -- The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday granted interim protection from coercive action to former minister Aroop Biswas in connection with an FIR accusing him of attempted murder and other offences following an incident at the Alipore court premises last month.
The bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharya directed the investigating agency to preserve the CCTV footage relating to the alleged incident and submit a report.
It also asked Biswas to implead the complainant as a respondent in the proceedings by July 9.
The matter will next be heard on July 23. During the hearing, the court expressed concern over incidents of public humiliation, including pelting eggs at individuals within court premises, observing that such conduct must be curbed.
In the separate Messi case under investigation by Bidhannagar Police, Biswas continues to enjoy interim protection from arrest subject to cooperation with the investigation.
The criminal case stems from events on June 18, when Biswas visited the Alipore court after attending questioning in the separate "Messi" case at Salt Lake. His brother, who was arrested in another matter, was scheduled to be produced before the court that day.
According to the defence, Biswas was confronted by protesters inside the court complex, where eggs were allegedly thrown at him, forcing him to remain inside his lawyer's chamber until police escorted him out safely.
Counsel appearing for the former minister contended that the subsequent complaint, lodged by an advocate a day later, was baseless and alleged misuse of criminal provisions.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.