Supreme Court Refuses To Interfere In TMC Party Office Signboard Removal Row

The Supreme Court refused the Trinamool Congress’ plea challenging the removal of a signboard carrying the party’s name and logo from the roof of the office of its General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee on Camac Street in Kolkata.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana heard a Special Leave Petition filed by Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool faction against the Calcutta High Court’s refusal to grant interim relief in the matter.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Trinamool, submitted that the signboard was removed without issuing any notice to the party and contended that the High Court had erred in observing that no cause of action survived after the board had already been removed.

"This is a registered political party..they do not remove Haldiram's signboard..they remove mine..He say no cause of action. Because it has been rightly removed. High Court has said I have no case. Am I not entitled to notice? Court does not ask why no notice was given and says no cause of action as billboard removed. Your lordships may relegate, but this order must not stand in the way," Sibal told court.

SG Tushar Mehta opposed the filing of an SLP saying, "There is a provision for an appeal..why so enthusiastic..".

The bench went on to order, "In our view, interim order has not decided pending issues on merits. Since High Court is seized of matter parties are granted liberty to raise contentions before High Court. We request High Court to determine all issues that arise for consideration expeditiously."

The dispute concerns the removal of a giant billboard bearing the name “All India Trinamool Congress” and the party’s logo from the rooftop of Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee’s office on Camac Street, Kolkata, on August 27.

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), accompanied by police personnel, reached the premises to remove the billboard, stating that it had been installed without the mandatory permission and payment of applicable taxes.

The removal triggered tension at the spot, with Trinamool Congress leaders and supporters, including Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien, opposing the civic action. A scuffle broke out between police personnel and party workers before the billboard was eventually removed.

Following the incident, the Kolkata Police registered three FIRs and arrested several Trinamool activists. Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O’Brien and other party leaders were named as accused in two of the FIRs.

The Trinamool Congress subsequently approached the Calcutta High Court, seeking restoration of the billboard and questioning the action taken by the KMC and the police.

On August 28, a special single-judge Bench of Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury declined to grant interim relief. The Court observed that the matter was at a premature stage and that affidavits from all concerned parties would be required before any interim directions could be considered. The High Court had also rejected the plea seeking details of the KMC staff and Kolkata Police personnel who had gone to the Camac Street office to remove the billboard.

Case Title: ALL INDIA TRINAMOOL CONGRESS Vs THE STATE OF WEST BENGAL