Why Couldn’t You Control Law & Order? Registry Flooded With Emails Alleging Poll Violence: Calcutta High Court Slams SEC

The Calcutta High Court today questioned the WB State Election Commission regarding their apparent mismanagement of the Panchayat Election 2023, due to incessant barrage of complaints being received by the Court as well as its registry regarding rampant electoral malpractice and instances of deadly violence.

A bench comprising Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya orally remarked,

"Why couldn't you control the law and order situation? Do you know, our Registrar has received over 50 emails highlighting the issue of violence, and [malpractise]…One is blaming the other. The other is blaming someone else. What is the point of us passing so many orders then?"

Yesterday, the Court called for reports on the scale of alleged violence during polling on July 8. It had also directed the WB State Government to file a report regarding the fatalities and injuries that took place on polling-day.

The SEC today submitted a report by and large pertaining to the measures taken by it on the reports of violence, etc. However, the advocate appearing for the petitioner in this matter said situation of “terror” is prevalent in the State.

The High Court has been facing a spathe of complaints pertaining to violence and electoral malpractice taking place in the WB Panchayat Elections 2023. Earlier, to allay the concerns on post-poll violence, the Court had directed paramilitary forces to remain in West Bengal for 10 days after the declaration of results in the election process.

It is also seized of contempt applications filed against the SEC for its alleged dereliction of duty in not following orders pertaining to the safety, security and purity of the election process in ‘letter and spirit.’

Coram: Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya

Case: Shyamal Mondal and Ors. Vs State of West Bengal And Ors. WPA/14922/2023