Overview
- A division vacation bench of the Calcutta High Court heard the petitions on Friday, June 5, and directed the West Bengal government and police to file a detailed report and affidavits within three weeks.
- The court said police may arrest and prosecute but cannot humiliate accused persons and described the public parading with ropes as dehumanising.
- State counsel told the court that some escorts were used to recreate alleged extortion scenes or to prevent escape, a justification the bench asked to be documented and questioned as a routine practice.
- The court set the matter for further hearing in about four weeks and allowed petitioners a short period to file counter-affidavits after the state response is lodged.
- The order follows multiple viral videos and an NHRC complaint alleging accused were led through public streets tied by ropes and sometimes in minimal clothing, raising questions about police procedure, dignity protections and possible accountability.