Kolkata Police Register Seven FIRs After Protest Turns Violent; Chief Minister Vows Action Under Goonda Act
The Kolkata Police have registered seven first information reports (FIRs) in connection with the violence that erupted at the Esplanade area during a protest rally on Friday, July 24, 2026. The rally, led by Left-affiliated student groups and a local political party, demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Six FIRs relate to attacks on media personnel, while one is a suo motu case regarding the violence.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari told the State Assembly on Saturday that 70 individuals have been identified for their involvement. He stated that none of them are students or members of the political party that organized the protest. The Chief Minister said these cases would be investigated under the 'Goonda Act,' a state law allowing preventive detention for up to 12 months. He praised the police for dispersing the mob.
The march began peacefully at Sealdah station with thousands of participants. However, the situation turned violent when police used force to disperse the crowd after they reached Esplanade. Protesters began a sit-in at Dorina Crossing, leading to a lathi charge and the firing of two rounds of tear gas. In response, some protesters threw shoes and bottles at police. Several people on both sides, as well as journalists, sustained injuries. RAF and paramilitary forces were deployed to restore order.
The first FIR, filed suo motu by the Kolkata Police at Hare Street Police Station, alleges that protesters delivered provocative speeches, attacked police personnel, and gathered unlawfully at Dorina Crossing without permission. Additional Police Commissioner (Crime) Kunal Aggarwal stated, 'They had vehicles and used microphones at high volume, giving provocative speeches that infuriated the crowd.' He added that police repeatedly instructed them to disperse, but the crowd responded by hurling water bottles, shoes, sticks, and stones at police, journalists, and bystanders.
The FIR was registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 189(2), 189(4), 189(3), 191(2), 190, 121(1), 132, 285, 352, 223, 3(5), and 3(6), against unidentified individuals.
Five additional FIRs target attacks on journalists: Rik Purakaystha and Krishnendu Majumder of R Plus channel, Shiladitya Kar of Ei Samay, Rahi Halder of Aaj Tak (India Today group), and Suman Mahapatra, Makhan Chandra Patra, and Dipankar Dasgupta of TV9. All journalists are reported to be in stable condition.
