Kolkata, Jul 8 (UNI) Former West Bengal minister Aroop Biswas on Wednesday secured interim protection from the Calcutta High Court after alleging that he was harassed and faced threats to his life while returning from Bidhannagar South Police Station and later at the Alipore District Court.
Hearing the matter, Justice Sougata Bhattacharyya directed that no coercive legal action be taken against Biswas in connection with the case till July 23.
The court further ordered that if any action is proposed against him in the meantime, his counsel, Kishore Dutta, must immediately bring the matter to the notice of the court.
The development comes a day after Biswas appeared before Bidhannagar South Police Station in compliance with an earlier order of the High Court.
According to his counsel, while returning from the police station, several media personnel allegedly followed his vehicle.
He further alleged that after reaching the Alipore District Court, Biswas was surrounded and harassed, and that the incident also involved threats to his life.
When the matter was mentioned before the court, Justice Bhattacharyya questioned the need for an urgent hearing, pointing out that Biswas had already been granted legal protection in the earlier proceedings.
In response, Dutta argued that the latest allegations related to an entirely separate incident involving the former minister's security within the court premises and therefore warranted immediate judicial intervention.
Taking note of the submissions, the court continued the interim protection and clarified that no legal action should be initiated against Biswas in connection with the present matter without first informing the court until July 23.
Meanwhile, police questioning of Biswas in connection with the alleged "Messi event" case is continuing.
The Bidhannagar South Police Station has also been directed to submit a report before the Calcutta High Court on Friday, July 10, regarding the progress of the investigation.
The matter is expected to come up for further hearing on July 23.
UNI SAG RSA