The Calcutta High Court has directed the Director General of Police (DGP), West Bengal, to issue immediate guidelines preventing people from throwing eggs at accused persons, engaging in mob violence, or humiliating individuals in police custody. The court stressed that every accused person is entitled to dignity and protection under the Constitution, irrespective of the allegations against them.
Background of the Case
The public interest litigation was filed by Md. Danish Farooqui, seeking directions to the State to curb incidents of people throwing eggs at political workers and leaders, prevent mob attacks, register suo motu cases against offenders, and stop practices such as parading persons in custody in humiliating conditions. The petitioner also alleged inaction by authorities despite several complaints regarding targeted violence, mob lynching and assaults.
Hearing the matter, the Bench of Acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee observed that complaints involving public violence and attacks on accused persons could not be brushed aside.
“The complaints lodged cannot be dismissed... but have to be examined from the fundamental viewpoint,” the Bench observed, adding that “the guarantee of human dignity... forms part of our constitutional culture.”
The Court further said that dignity and security are constitutional rights available to every individual and cannot depend on the discretion of authorities.
“The State has a responsibility to protect the accused persons from inhumanity and barbarity. The general public cannot take law into their own hands,” the Bench remarked while noting that incidents of egg-throwing and public humiliation must be prevented.
The High Court directed the Director General of Police to immediately issue statewide guidelines to prevent egg-throwing, public violence, mob lynching and other nuisance against accused persons. The guidelines must be circulated to all police stations with mandatory compliance directions.
The Court also ordered the State authorities to maintain strict vigilance and act promptly whenever such incidents are reported. The DGP has been directed to file a compliance affidavit, while the State must submit an affidavit responding to the allegations and listing all registered cases related to the complaints within two weeks.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on 20 July 2026.
Case Details
Case Title: Md. Danish Farooqui v. The State of West Bengal & Ors.
Case Number: WPA (P) 299 of 2026
Judge: Acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee
Decision Date: 30 June 2026
