Calcutta High Court’s Interim Directions on Post‑Poll Violence
The Calcutta High Court 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 2026 West Bengal Assembly election results. The bench, led by Chief Justice Sujoy Paul 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.
Key Developments
- The court ordered police to facilitate the safe return of any citizen displaced by post‑poll violence, irrespective of party affiliation.
- Petitioners must file affidavits; the larger bench will be constituted later.
- Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that children, women and minorities were targeted, and urged police to allow FIRs.
- Senior advocate Kalyan Bandopadhyay sought an independent probe, preservation of CCTV footage, and restraint on any ‘bulldozer’ actions by the administration.
- The State’s Additional Solicitor General and Deputy Solicitor General Dhiraj Trivedi argued that the PILs lack concrete evidence and that police are already investigating reported incidents.
Important Facts
• The petitions are PIL alleging widespread vandalism of TMC party offices, assault of workers, and forced displacement.
• Petitioners demand an