The Calcutta High Court on Thursday issued a strong message over alleged post-election violence in West Bengal, directing police authorities to ensure strict law and order and protect citizens from being targeted because of their political affiliations. The court said no individual can be forcibly removed from their home or business due to political identity, and ordered authorities to help affected people return safely while guaranteeing their security.
Hearing a petition linked to post-poll unrest in the state, a division bench led by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Sujoy Paul observed that the administration must act firmly to prevent intimidation, violence and displacement. The matter will come up again after five weeks, during which all parties have been instructed to file affidavits. The bench also clarified that after examining the affidavits, it would decide whether the case should be referred to a larger five-judge bench.
The hearing drew unusual attention as Trinamool Congress chairperson and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally appeared before the High Court in her capacity as a lawyer. Addressing the bench, Banerjee said she was appearing before the Calcutta High Court for the first time despite being enrolled with the Bar Council since 1985.
Calcutta High Court Steps In on Bengal Poll Violence, Warns Against Evictions Over Political Identity
During her submissions, Banerjee alleged that women, children and minorities were facing attacks and intimidation after the election results. She claimed complaints of threats, violence, looting and arson were emerging from different parts of the state, while police authorities were allegedly failing to intervene effectively.
“If permitted by the court, I will place these incidents on record through an additional affidavit,” Banerjee told the bench. She further appealed to the judiciary to protect the people of the state, adding, “This is not a bulldozer state. This is West Bengal. Please save the people of the state.”
Senior Trinamool Congress leaders and lawyers, including MP Kalyan Banerjee and former minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, also argued during the proceedings.
Reacting to the High Court’s observations, Trinamool leader Kunal Ghosh claimed that BJP workers were attacking Trinamool supporters and ordinary citizens in several areas. He said Mamata Banerjee’s appearance before the court reflected the seriousness of the situation and added that the High Court had acknowledged concerns regarding violence and intimidation.
The case has once again brought the issue of political violence in Bengal into sharp focus, with both the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP trading allegations over attacks, displacement and intimidation in the aftermath of the elections.
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