The Calcutta high court on Tuesday directed the police to provide protection to Keventer Fresh outlets functioning out of Reliance Retail stores at Swabhumi in Kolkata, Budge Budge and Rajarhat.
Keventer had filed a writ petition seeking police protection, stating that, ever since the stores had opened last Saturday, various “third parties” were harassing them.
The reference was obviously to the Forward Bloc, which had alleged that Keventer Fresh did not have the licence to sell agri products. Last year, the Bloc had prevented Reliance Fresh stores from opening in the state.
Naren Chatterjee, the Bloc leader who is the chairman of the Agricultural Marketing Board, had said Keventer Fresh’s licence was “false”.
On Tuesday, Chatterjee refused to comment on the petition.
After hearing counsel appearing on behalf of the police authorities, Justice Nadira Patherya of the high court directed the police to take action on the basis of complaints made by Keventer Fresh.
If necessary, the police will post pickets at the stores to prevent acts of vandalism, the judge said.
Fox & Mandal, representing Keventer Fresh, said it will take action against defamatory statements too, if necessary.
“We will do whatever is necessary to protect the interests, business and properties of our client,” said Debanjan Mandal, partner of Fox & Mandal.
