Why parading 'accused' with ropes around waist? Calcutta HC orders Suvendu Govt to explain within 4 weeks

The Calcutta High Court has sought a report from the state government on allegations that arrested individuals were being paraded in public with ropes tied around their waists while being escorted by police. Hearing a public interest litigation on the issue, a division bench directed the state to submit a detailed report within four weeks.

The matter was raised after several incidents were reported from different parts of West Bengal following the change of government. According to the petition, accused persons in multiple cases were allegedly taken from police stations to courts with ropes tied around their waists, while videos of the scenes were recorded and circulated by members of the public. Similar incidents were reported from several districts in North and South Bengal over the past two weeks.

During the hearing, the division bench of Justice Joy Sengupta and Justice Smita Das De made observations regarding the treatment of accused persons during arrest and transit procedures. The court noted that while there may be public anger or resentment against an accused individual, humiliating that person is neither desirable nor justified.

Justice Sengupta observed that police have the authority to arrest individuals and proceed against them in accordance with the law, while courts may impose punishment if guilt is established. However, the court stated that law enforcement agencies cannot intentionally undermine the dignity of an accused person in the course of carrying out arrest procedures.

The High Court further observed that parading accused persons with ropes tied around their waists amounts to public humiliation and should not be done deliberately. Referring to three or four recent incidents from different parts of the state, the court stated that the Constitution does not support the humiliation of accused persons regardless of the allegations against them. The matter will be taken up again after the state submits its report.