<h2>Calcutta High Court’s Interim Directions on Post‑Poll Violence</h2>
<p>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="Calcutta High Court — the highest judicial authority in the Indian state of West Bengal, dealing with civil, criminal, and constitutional matters (GS2: Polity)">Calcutta High Court</span> has issued interim orders directing the State Police to ensure the safe return of individuals allegedly forced out of their shops, homes or properties following the <strong>2026 West Bengal Assembly election</strong> results. The bench, led by <span class="key-term" data-definition="Chief Justice Sujoy Paul — the senior-most judge of the Calcutta High Court, responsible for constituting benches and delivering judgments (GS2: Polity)">Chief Justice Sujoy Paul</span> and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen, also called for affidavits and deferred the formation of a five‑judge bench that petitioners had requested, mirroring the 2021 post‑poll violence probe.</p>
<h3>Key Developments</h3>
<ul>
<li>The court ordered police to facilitate the <strong>safe return</strong> of any citizen displaced by post‑poll violence, irrespective of party affiliation.</li>
<li>Petitioners must file affidavits; the larger bench will be constituted later.</li>
<li>Former Chief Minister <span class="key-term" data-definition="Mamata Banerjee — Leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and former Chief Minister of West Bengal, prominent figure in state politics (GS2: Polity)">Mamata Banerjee</span> alleged that children, women and minorities were targeted, and urged police to allow FIRs.</li>
<li>Senior advocate <span class="key-term" data-definition="Kalyan Bandopadhyay — Senior counsel representing the Trinamool Congress in the case (GS2: Polity)">Kalyan Bandopadhyay</span> sought an independent probe, preservation of CCTV footage, and restraint on any ‘bulldozer’ actions by the administration.</li>
<li>The State’s <span class="key-term" data-definition="Additional Solicitor General Ashoke Chakrabarti — Senior law officer representing the Union/State government in high courts (GS2: Polity)">Additional Solicitor General</span> and Deputy Solicitor General <span class="key-term" data-definition="Deputy Solicitor General Dhiraj Trivedi — Law officer assisting the government in high‑court matters (GS2: Polity)">Dhiraj Trivedi</span> argued that the PILs lack concrete evidence and that police are already investigating reported incidents.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Important Facts</h3>
<p>• The petitions are <span class="key-term" data-definition="PIL (Public Interest Litigation) — A legal tool allowing any person to approach the court for the protection of public interest, often used in matters of governance and rights (GS2: Polity)">PIL</span> alleging widespread vandalism of TMC party offices, assault of workers, and forced displacement.<br>
• Petitioners demand an <span class="key-term" data-definition="Affidavit — A written statement of facts sworn before a notary or court, used as evidence in
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