23.04.2025 W.P.A. 7783 of 2025 Item No.117 Ct. No.35 dc.

Adrija Raha versus The Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Sabyasachi Chatterjee, Ms. Monalisha Sinha ... For the Petitioner.

Mr. K. J. Yusuf, AGP, Mr. Parikshit Goswami … For the State.

Affidavit-of-service filed in Court today be kept with the record.

Report submitted by the learned advocate appearing for the State be also kept with the record.

The petitioner is aggrieved by the fact that she has been subjected to verbal abuse and threats on social media on different aspects pursuant to a post which she uploaded in her Facebook account. The information which was furnished with the police authorities on or about 01.04.2025 specifically referred to 20 individuals. However, there were other persons also who were involved in such verbal abuse and threats of different character which, according to the petitioner, makes out a cognizable offence, in spite of the same no steps have been taken.

Subsequently it has been informed that Howrah P.S. Case No. 165/2025 dated 11.04.2025 has been registered for investigation under Sections 75/356(2)/351(2)/79/3(5) of BNS, 2023. The investigation of the said case is under progress. The petitioner claims that another information was furnished by her which includes a video and was addressed to the Officer-in-Charge, Howrah Police Station on 03.04.2025.

Since the investigation has already commenced and the subject-matter of the investigation has taken into account and also considering the agony and anxiety of the present petitioner, I am of the view that the investigating officer in course of the investigation will also consider within its ambit the special provisions of other Acts which may be applicable in this case including the subsequent information furnished by the informant within a reasonable period of time after the first information was furnished. Investigating officer would put in efforts and ensure the safety and security of the petitioner also.

In case the petitioner feels that she is unsafe, she would approach the learned CJM, Howrah who would under the provisions of Witness Protection Scheme, 2018 after assessment of the threat perception report extend all possible assistance to the petitioner in respect of her security.

The investigating officer would also take steps so that the petitioner is not further subjected to similar harassment as she has been facing since the initiation of the case.

With the aforesaid observations, the writ petition being WPA 7783 of 2025 is disposed of.

There will be no order as to costs.

All concerned parties shall act on the server copy of this order duly downloaded from the official website of this Court.

Urgent photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the parties upon compliance with all requisite formalities.

(Tirthankar Ghosh, J.)