BJP’s rath yatra was scheduled on December 21 but was cancelled after the Calcutta HC denied permission on grounds that it might cause communal tension.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to accord urgent hearing on the BJP’s plea challenging a Calcutta High Court order not allowing its Rath Yatra in West Bengal.
The lawyer associated with the plea said they have been informed by the apex court registry that the matter would be listed in the normal course.
The top court is closed for winter vacations.
The party, which sought an urgent hearing on the petition, had planned to launch the yatra from three districts of the state.
The BJP had challenged last Friday’s order of the division bench of the high court which had set aside the order of a single judge allowing the yatra.
The party approached the Supreme Court seeking permission to hold the campaign ‘Save Democracy Rally’, which would cover 42 parliamentary constituencies in the state ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Also read: Calcutta High Court says can’t give permission to BJP rath yatra rallies after state refuses
The high court’s division bench, comprising Chief Justice Debasish Kargupta and Justice Shampa Sarkar, Friday send the case back to the single bench to consider intelligence inputs by state agencies.
The two judges’ bench order came after hearing an appeal moved by the West Bengal government, challenging the Thursday order of the single judge.
The division bench also asked the single-judge bench of Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty to hear the case afresh to consider the intelligence inputs and dispose the matter expeditiously.
The rallies, according to the original schedule, were supposed to be launched by BJP president Amit Shah from Bengal’s Cooch Behar district on December 7, Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas on December 9 and from Tarapith temple in Birbhum on December 14. – PTI
Also read: After heartland losses, BJP’s year-end plans include amplifying its east emphasis