Govt Office Is Public Property, Any Political Party Ransacking It Must Be Appropriately Charged: Calcutta High Court

The Calcutta High Court on Monday took strong objection to a plea highlighting the alleged ransacking of a panchayat office by workers of a certain political party.

A single bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh remarked: "It's a government office. You must include PDPP (Prevention of Damage To Public Properties Act). People cannot just destroy public offices like this. Government office is a public property, any political party ransacking that, must be charged appropriately."

The court was hearing a plea against the ransacking of the panchayat samiti office in Ratua-II. It was submitted that the petitioner was targeted by 'anti-social elements' and the police had not taken any steps to ensure his safety.

Accordingly, the Court directed the state to conduct further investigation on the aforesaid facts, and listed the petition for hearing after a month for filing a further report by the state.

It also directed the police to keep a vigil around the petitioner's premises to ensure his safety.

Case: AMIRUDDIN VS THE STATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS

Case No: WPA/26985/2024