Authority: High Court at Calcutta

Order Date: 14.10.2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioners: Santoshpur More Durgotsav Samiti and another party.
  • Respondents: The State of West Bengal and others, including the Inspector‑in‑Charge, Amdanga Police Station.
  • Petition sought a writ of mandamus directing the concerned police authority to grant permission for organizing Durga Puja at a new site for the year 2026.
  • Petitioners claim no permission has been granted by the police to the new venue.
  • The State, through Additional Advocate General Billwadal Bhattacharyya, produced a communication dated 7 October 2026 from the Inspector‑in‑Charge, Amdanga Police Station, stating that Durga Puja will be organized at the same venue used in previous years.
  • The communication noted that the new venue proposal originates from petitioner No. 2, who wishes to hold a separate puja under the same Samiti name.
  • It was further disclosed that the existing puja committee, with newly elected office‑bearers, continues to conduct the puja at the original venue; no outsider has taken over.
  • A resolution of the Committee/Samiti was attached to the police communication.
  • Petitioners argue that the land for the proposed new venue is owned by a person who has granted them permission, but they seek clarification on whether a separate police permission is required.
  • The court observed that the decision on the necessity of separate permission lies with the Inspector‑in‑Charge, respondent No. 4.

Final Outcome

  • The court directed the Inspector‑in‑Charge, Amdanga Police Station, to issue a formal communication within 24 hours indicating whether permission for the new venue is accorded.
  • If a feud exists between the two groups within the puja committee, the court held that such internal matters should not be examined by this writ petition; the aggrieved party must approach a civil court for remedy.
  • Consequently, the writ petition stands disposed of.
  • Parties are instructed to act on the server copy of this order downloaded from the official website of the court.

Topics: Legal Dispute, Religious Festival Permission