Has the Calcutta HC granted interim protection to ex-BJP MP against police action in multiple FIRs?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Calcutta HC grants interim protection to Arjun Singh.
- Multiple FIRs filed by West Bengal Police.
- Singh's remarks on public unrest sparked legal action.
- Case to be reviewed again on November 10.
- Political implications for Singh and the BJP.
Kolkata, Oct 14 (NationPress) A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court, on Tuesday, provided interim protection from coercive measures to former BJP Lok Sabha member Arjun Singh, amidst several FIRs lodged against him by the West Bengal Police across various police stations in the state.
Singh, who previously represented the Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency in North 24 Parganas district, sought the High Court's intervention for protection against police actions linked to these multiple FIRs.
The case was reviewed by Justice Shampa Dutt (Paul) at the single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday. Following an extensive discussion, the court granted Singh the interim protection until November 10, when the case will be revisited.
Recently, Singh remarked that a public uprising similar to that of Nepal could occur in West Bengal at any moment. This sparked the filing of 10 FIRs against him at various police stations soon after.
Additionally, he faced multiple FIRs previously at different police stations, primarily within the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate.
In light of these developments, Singh approached the Calcutta High Court for protection against coercive police actions in both new and old FIRs. Ultimately, the court granted him the sought-after relief on Tuesday.
Singh, a former legislator with the Trinamool Congress, joined the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, successfully contesting from Barrackpore. However, in 2022, he returned to the Trinamool Congress, citing dissatisfaction with the BJP's state leadership.
As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approached, Singh rejoined the BJP after being denied a nomination from Barrackpore by the Trinamool Congress. He contested the 2024 elections as a BJP candidate from Barrackpore but was defeated by the Trinamool Congress' Partha Bhowmik.