Kolkata: The Kolkata Police will now slap defamation cases even against owners of buses and trucks if obscene or derogatory posters or photographs — that can hurt sentiments of any sex, caste or creed — are put up on their vehicles. The cops have also asked citizens to click and send photographs of such derogatory messages if they come across them so that the police can take action.
The Vidyasagar Guard, along with Garia Guard, on Sunday came across two trucks which carried derogatory remarks against women.Both drivers were asked to cover them up. “We might begin with motorists, but the law is applicable to all,” said an additional CP.
“Such an openly provocative statement could count as defamation in the eyes of the law, drawing penalties under sections 499 IPC and 356(i) BNS,” said an officer at Lalbazar, explaining that this covers defamation.
The police post opened up a healthy debate on the Kolkata Facebook page where cops had initially informed netizens about taking such a step against motorists. While several hailed the police action, others questioned what defamation would stand for and whether something “offensive”’ written on a T-shirt would legally qualify as defamatory.
Though cops did not reply to the queries, they have stated that they will be creating more awareness on this issue soon. “That it has become a discussion point is important,” an officer said.
The police post was initially made on Friday evening. “The objectionable car sticker drew the attention of one of our colleagues when he came across it while on duty. To begin with, he felt there was malice and misogyny hidden behind the apparent fun made against women that stated snakes can be believed but not women,” the write-up stated.
Cops said they could have taken the legal route. “However, we thought of approaching the vehicle owner first and appealing to his better judgment. After all, by displaying such a generic and negative statement, was he not also demeaning women in his own family, we argued with him,” the post stated, adding that the cops explained to the car owner about the issue who then himself removed the sticker.