ARIJIT BANERJEE, J. - (1.) In these two writ petitions, filed as Public Interest Litigations (in short 'the PILs'), the subject matter and the prayers are similar. Hence, the two writ petitions are taken up for hearing and disposal together.
(2.) In WP No. 568 of 2015 the main prayer is for issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the respondent authorities not to issue permission allowing any political party or any authority to block the roads or streets completely for any assembly or meeting or rally or procession. In WP No. 1130 of 2015, the main prayer is for issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the respondent authorities not to allow the political parties/associations to hold political rallies during working days in the vicinity of the city of Calcutta since the same paralyses the free movement of public at large.
(3.) Learned Counsel for the petitioners submitted that rallies/meetings/processions are organized by political parties by completely blocking several important roads/streets thereby restricting the movement of the public at large. Blockage of arterial roads causes disruption of essential services like fire brigade, ambulance, etc. He submitted that the political parties are able to paralyse life in this manner because of the permission granted by the State authorities and/or inaction on their part to ensure that normal life of the public in general is not impeded by the political meetings/rallies/processions.;