BJP Rath Yatra: Supreme Court issues notice to West Bengal

The Supreme Court yesterday issued notice to the State of West Bengal in the petition filed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) challenging the decision of the State government to refuse permission for the Party’s proposed “Rath Yatra” in the State..The matter was initially listed to be heard by the Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. However, it was heard by a Bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and Sanjay Kishan Kaul since CJI Gogoi was unavailable yesterday..Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi along with advocate Mahesh Agarwal appeared for BJP. Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi represented State of West Bengal..The Court issued notice to West Bengal and also directed BJP to submit its revised schedule for the expected “Rath Yatra/Ganantantyra Bachao Yatra/Chetana Yatra” to the State while stating that the State should consider the same. The matter is next listed for hearing on January 15..BJP had approached the Supreme Court in appeal after a Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court had upheld the decision of the State government to refuse permission for the Rath Yatra. It was claimed by the BJP that the party’s fundamental right under Article 19(1) of the Constitution of India to hold a peaceful yatra was being violated..In the petition filed by through Advocate EC Agarwala, BJP has stated that the rationale behind conducting the proposed Ganatantra Bachao Yatras is to create awareness amongst citizens about their voting choice and to make them more informed as citizens. The petition also alleges a political vendetta against the BJP by the ruling party in West Bengal, All India Trinamool Congress (AITC)..A Single Judge Bench of the High Court had allowed the Yatra to be held while directing that the State Government must ensure maintenance of law and order..This decision was challenged by the State government before a Division Bench which overturned the order of the single judge leading to the appeal in Supreme Court..Read the Order: