A division bench of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday, 30 June directed the West Bengal Police to submit a detailed report on steps taken by the state's police administration following incidents of eggs being thrown at political leaders and party workers since 4 June — the day Assembly election results were declared. The bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee, issued the order while hearing a public interest litigation filed by the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC).

What the PIL Alleged

The petitioners accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists of hurling eggs at TMC leaders — including sitting and former elected representatives — in the presence of police personnel, who allegedly remained passive bystanders during the attacks. The PIL sought an interim order from the court to compel immediate police action, but the bench declined to grant one.

What the Court Observed

The division bench made clear that merely detaining a handful of individuals linked to these incidents would fall short of an adequate response. It stressed that the state government must demonstrate what systemic steps the police administration had taken to prevent recurrence of such attacks. The bench further underscored that ensuring the safety of every individual is a fundamental duty of the state administration, not an optional exercise.

State Government's Position

Counsel for the state government told the court that authorities had repeatedly issued public appeals urging citizens to refrain from taking the law into their own hands. However, the government argued that without the filing of specific, formal complaints, the administration had limited legal avenues to act proactively in each instance.

Petitioner's Counterargument

Senior advocate and four-time TMC Lok Sabha member Kalyan Banerjee, appearing for the petitioners, went further, alleging that the police were not merely passive but were, in his words, 'the main brain behind such events of egg pelting.' Banerjee pointed to attacks reportedly occurring even at airports — designated secure zones — and claimed that a minister had publicly encouraged people to throw eggs at political opponents. 'Such attacks are happening even at secured places like the airports. A minister is asking people to throw eggs. What steps has the government taken?' Banerjee argued before the bench. The court, however, declined his plea for an interim order.

What Happens Next

The West Bengal Police is now required to file a compliance report before the court detailing the specific actions taken since 4 June 2025. The bench also called for broader social awareness initiatives beyond law-enforcement responses. This comes amid a pattern of post-election political tensions in West Bengal that have repeatedly drawn judicial scrutiny in recent years. The next hearing will assess whether the state's response meets the court's expectations of systemic, not merely reactive, action.