Calcutta High Court Grants Sreelekha Mitra Protection From Arrest Over PM Modi Poster Case

The Calcutta High Court has granted Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra protection from arrest in multiple FIRs linked to a poster she displayed during a July protest in Kolkata, while the court criticised the depiction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “obnoxious” and “distasteful.”

The Calcutta High Court has directed that no coercive action be taken against Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra in connection with several criminal cases registered over a poster she displayed during a protest in Kolkata.

The matter relates to a July 24 demonstration in the Esplanade area of central Kolkata, where protesters had gathered over the alleged NEET examination paper leak and raised demands including the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Mitra had participated in the demonstration and was photographed holding a placard containing a cartoon depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A complaint was subsequently filed by the BJP, alleging that the image was offensive. Complaints were also lodged at multiple police stations across West Bengal.

Court criticises poster depicting PM Modi

While hearing Mitra’s petition seeking relief in the cases, Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya expressed strong disapproval of the poster.

The judge said the depiction was “obnoxious” and stated that it “shocks the conscience of the court” after viewing the cartoon.

The court also described the presentation as “distasteful” and questioned why a citizen would display such an image of the Prime Minister.

Mitra’s lawyer, Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, acknowledged during the hearing that the poster was distasteful but argued that its display did not constitute a criminal offence under the applicable law.

Actor receives interim protection from arrest

Despite the court’s criticism of the poster, Mitra received protection from arrest in the cases pending against her as of the date of the hearing.

The High Court directed that the criminal proceedings be clubbed together and investigated by Anandapur police station in Kolkata.

The court ordered that no coercive steps be taken against Mitra without its permission until December 24, subject to her cooperation with the investigation.

Police have also been directed to provide Mitra with 48 hours’ notice before requiring her to appear before the investigating officer in connection with the case.

The investigating authorities have been asked to submit a progress report before the court at the next stage of the proceedings.

16 FIRs reported against Sreelekha Mitra

During the hearing, the court noted that 16 FIRs had been registered against Mitra at different police stations.

Her counsel sought the consolidation and quashing of the cases, arguing that the complaints did not disclose a criminal offence.

The state’s Additional Advocate General, Rajdeep Majumdar, opposed the plea and argued that the cartoon was in bad taste and that its nature constituted an offence.

The court’s latest order provides Mitra temporary protection while the matter proceeds and the police investigation continues.

What led to the cases?

The controversy emerged after Mitra attended the July protest against the alleged NEET question paper leak. The demonstration was part of wider protests over the issue, with protesters demanding accountability from the authorities.

The actor’s photograph holding the placard subsequently became the basis for complaints filed against her.

The latest High Court proceedings concern the legal consequences of displaying the poster, rather than determining the political merits of the protest itself. The allegations against Mitra remain subject to the ongoing legal process.