Calcutta High Court Orders Police Inquiry into Teacher Protests

The Calcutta High Court has mandated that two teachers involved in protests appear before the police for questioning about clashes that occurred on May 15. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh advised the West Bengal government against taking punitive measures against the teachers until further notice. The court also requested documentation related to the protests, which have been ongoing since the teachers lost their jobs following a Supreme Court ruling. The situation escalated when demonstrators clashed with police while attempting to breach barricades at Vikas Bhavan. This article delves into the details of the court's decision and the implications for the protesting teachers.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 22, 2025, 11:59 IST

Court Directs Police Inquiry for Teacher Protesters

The Calcutta High Court has instructed two protesting teachers to appear before the police for questioning regarding the clashes that occurred on May 15 near the state education department's headquarters, known as Vikas Bhavan, in Salt Lake.

Justice Tirthankar Ghosh remarked that the West Bengal government should refrain from taking any punitive action against Sudip Konar and Indrajit Mandal until Thursday.

These individuals had filed a petition challenging the notices issued by the police concerning the altercations with officers on May 15 outside Vikas Bhavan.

During the hearing on Thursday, the court also requested the state government to present the case diary related to the FIR filed concerning the protests. The state's lawyer informed the court that notices had been sent to 15 individuals regarding the incidents that took place during the demonstration.

On May 15, clashes erupted between protesting school teachers and police when the demonstrators broke through barricades and entered the premises. The police claimed that some of their personnel were injured during the confrontation.

Since May 15, school teachers who recently lost their jobs following a Supreme Court ruling have been protesting outside Vikas Bhavan. Approximately 26,000 teaching and non-teaching staff from state-sponsored and aided schools were dismissed due to irregularities in the recruitment process, as mandated by the Supreme Court.