Calcutta High Court Offers Interim Relief to Suvendu Adhikari from Police Action
Synopsis
In a significant ruling, the Calcutta High Court has granted interim protection to Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, shielding him from police action on an FIR. This decision comes at a crucial time as he contests elections in two constituencies.
Key Takeaways
Interim protection granted to Suvendu Adhikari by Calcutta High Court.
Protection lasts for 12 weeks until July.
Adhikari is contesting from Nandigram and Bhabanipur .
Dibyendu Adhikari received assistance regarding his no dues certificate .
The case highlights the interplay of law and politics in West Bengal.
Kolkata, March 23 (NationPress) A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court has provided interim protection to Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly, against any coercive actions by the police related to an FIR lodged against him at Khardah Police Station in North 24 Parganas district. This decision was made on Monday, with the bench led by Justice Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee granting this protection for a duration of 12 weeks until July, during which time the police are prohibited from taking any actions, including arrests, against Adhikari. The case is scheduled for further hearings in July.
Adhikari is concurrently contesting elections from the Nandigram Assembly constituency in East Midnapore district, where he currently serves as the MLA, as well as from Bhabanipur in South Kolkata, where he faces Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The FIR was filed against Adhikari on December 29, 2020, for allegedly making controversial remarks. He subsequently approached the Calcutta High Court to seek dismissal of this complaint to mitigate any potential electoral complications.
On the same day, the Calcutta High Court also provided relief to Dibyendu Adhikari, the LoP's younger brother and former Lok Sabha member, who had raised concerns over not receiving a “no dues” certificate despite vacating a government flat that was previously allotted to him.
Dibyendu Adhikari is standing as the BJP candidate from the Egra Assembly constituency, also located in East Midnapore district. He had requested the 'no dues certificate' prior to the publication of the candidate list but had not received it, prompting him to approach the Calcutta High Court on March 10.
During Monday's hearing, Justice Krishna Rae, the state's advocate general, provided a photocopy of the no-dues certificate to Dibyendu Adhikari's lawyer, Billwadal Bhattacharya. The state’s legal representative informed the court that the no-dues certificate had been issued on March 19, but it would require a few additional days to reach the candidate.
Point of View
This interim protection underlines the intersection of law and politics in the region. The court's decisions may play a pivotal role in shaping the electoral dynamics as the state moves towards its upcoming elections.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the reason for the FIR against Suvendu Adhikari?
The FIR was filed against Suvendu Adhikari for allegedly making objectionable remarks on December 29, 2020.
What protection has the Calcutta High Court granted to Adhikari?
The Calcutta High Court has granted Suvendu Adhikari interim protection from any coercive police action related to the FIR for 12 weeks.
When will the case be heard again?
The case is scheduled for further hearing in July.
Who is Dibyendu Adhikari?
Dibyendu Adhikari is the younger brother of Suvendu Adhikari and a BJP candidate from the Egra Assembly constituency.
What issue did Dibyendu Adhikari face regarding the no dues certificate?
He faced delays in obtaining a no dues certificate after vacating a government flat, which he had sought to receive before the candidate list publication.
