Calcutta HC Rejects Request for CAPF Deployment in Bengal Cooperative Elections
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Synopsis
On March 27, the Calcutta High Court dismissed a public interest litigation seeking CAPF deployment for the upcoming cooperative bank elections in East Midnapore, West Bengal. The court found the plea unsuitable as a public interest matter, advising the petitioner to approach the Supreme Court for further action.
Key Takeaways
- Calcutta High Court dismissed CAPF deployment plea.
- Concerns over election violence were raised.
- Previous CAPF deployment occurred in December.
- Petitioner advised to seek Supreme Court intervention.
- State police assured adequate security for the elections.
Kolkata, March 27 (NationPress) The Calcutta High Court on Thursday rejected a public interest litigation that sought orders for the deployment of central armed police forces (CAPF) at the elections for the Contai Co-Operative Agriculture & Rural Development Bank Ltd in East Midnapore, West Bengal, scheduled for March 29.
A public interest litigation was filed by Swapan Bera, who expressed concerns over potential election malpractices and violence during the upcoming polls. In his petition, Bera referred to previous instances where CAPF had been deployed for the Contai cooperative bank elections in December last year, following a directive from the Supreme Court.
During the hearing on Thursday, the division bench comprising Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chattopadhyay dismissed the plea, stating that it could not be classified as public interest litigation.
The bench suggested that Bera might consider approaching the apex court if he deemed it necessary.
The petitioner’s counsel, Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya, a CPI-M Rajya Sabha member, asserted that due to the rising trend of poll-related violence in West Bengal, the deployment of CAPF and the installation of CCTV cameras were crucial for the elections set for Saturday.
He further noted that previous elections for the Contai cooperative bank were held under CCTV surveillance with CAPF presence.
Representing the state government, Advocate General Kishor Datta argued that mere allegations and fears of violence were insufficient to support the petitioner's claims.
He stated that the petitioner must provide compelling reasons for the necessity of CAPF deployment, especially when state police forces were ensuring comprehensive security for the elections.
The division bench ultimately not only dismissed the request for CAPF deployment but also quashed the public interest litigation altogether.
East Midnapore is the home district of BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari. His younger brother, Soumendu Adhikari, currently serves as the MP for the Kanthi Lok Sabha seat, which includes the Contai Co-Operative Agriculture & Rural Development Bank Ltd.
