Authority: Calcutta High Court
Order Date: 01.10.2026
Case Overview
- Petitioners: Madan Mohan Krishti Parishad (registered society) and its Secretary (Petitioner No.2).
- Respondents: State of West Bengal, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South West Division, Kolkata), Officer‑in‑Charge, Haridevpur Police Station, and others including Respondent No.5 (Shebait of a Trust) and Respondents No.6 & 7 (co‑owners represented by a Power of Attorney holder).
- Nature of Proceeding: Writ petition (W.P.A. No. 27654 of 2026) seeking a direction for the police to grant permission to convene Durga Puja for the year 2026 on a disputed parcel of land.
- Background: Petitioners claim possession of the land for over fifty‑six years and have obtained permissions from Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation, Fire & Emergency Services, and Pollution Control Board. Police permission remained pending. Respondent No.5 has filed Title Suit No. 531 of 2018 seeking eviction of the petitioners; an ad‑interim injunction maintaining status‑quo was reportedly issued by the Civil Court.
- Earlier Judicial References:
- Coordinated Bench order dated 06.02.2024 in WPA 25739/2023 (filed by Respondent No.5).
- Division Bench order dated 23.09.2024 in MAT 1801/2024 (intra‑court appeal by petitioners).
- Court order dated 28.09.2026 in WPA 24981/2026 concerning permission for puja in a common area of a G+3 building.
- Communications: Officer‑in‑Charge, Haridevpur Police Station submitted a communication on 30.09.2026 indicating no police permission had been granted yet and that the property is in possession of both Respondent No.5 and the petitioners.
- Key Submissions: Petitioners highlighted a Power of Attorney holder (Respondent No.7) granting permission on 10.09.2026; Respondent No.5 argued that the pending eviction suit and status‑quo injunction barred the puja; the State’s Additional Advocate General presented the police communication.
Final Outcome
- The Court held that the High Court is not the appropriate forum to adjudicate ownership, title, or interest in the land; such matters must be decided by the Civil Court.
- The Court observed that the status‑quo injunction does not preclude the performance of Durga Puja, given the petitioners’ fifty‑six‑year historic practice and the earlier coordinated‑bench observation.
- The Court directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, South West Division, Kolkata (Respondent No.3) and the Officer‑in‑Charge, Haridevpur Police Station (Respondent No.4) to grant permission to the petitioners for holding Durga Puja on the disputed premises for the year 2026 by 5 October 2026.
- The writ petition stands disposed of.
- Parties are instructed to act on the server copy of the order downloaded from the official court website.
Topics: Durga Puja Permission, Land Dispute