{
  "id": 14108616,
  "title": "‘Protest not offence because it displeases authorities’: Calcutta High Court quashes FIR",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/protest-not-offence-because-it-displeases-authorities-calcutta-high",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-13T03:30:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/legal-news/protest-not-offence-calcutta-high-court-10918221/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Calcutta High Court has dismissed criminal charges against six School Service Commission candidates who were arrested for protesting alleged recruitment irregularities in 2021. Justice Anuj Singh explained that \"a demonstration does not become an offence merely because it was unwelcome to those in authority.\" The court determined that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute the individuals for violating COVID-19 protocols and obstructing public navigation. The petitioners were exercising their constitutional right to assemble peacefully and voice their grievances, as guaranteed under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of the Indian Constitution. The court further noted that the police did not have the authority to take action against the protesters, as no specific notice was issued in 2021 authorizing such action against peaceful assembly and protest. The court concluded that even if the allegations were true, they did not constitute an unlawful assembly, as the common object of the protest was not explicitly stated, and mere protest and raising of slogans cannot be considered an unlawful common object under section 141 of the Indian Penal Code.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Calcutta High Court dismisses FIR against 6 SSC candidates",
    "Protest justified as peaceful assembly to voice grievances",
    "Court ruled police lacked authority to act on protest"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The ruling reinforces the constitutional protection of peaceful assembly by preventing authorities from using administrative protocols or allegations of public obstruction to criminalize citizens who voice grievances against government irregularities.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}