Calcutta High Court Seeks State Gov's Response In Suvendu Adhikari's Plea Alleging Obstruction In Peaceful Living Due To Inadequate Security Arrangement By State

The Calcutta High Court on Monday sought the State government's response in a plea moved by BJP MLA and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari alleging that despite several orders of the High Court, the State government has failed to adequately provide him security. 

The counsel appearing for Adhikari submitted before the Court that despite prior orders of the Court in several proceedings, the security provided to Adhikari is being compromised. It was further contended that taking advantage of the loopholes in the security arrangements third parties are continuously obstructing and disturbing Adhikari's functioning as the leader of the opposition and his right to live peacefully. 

Taking cognisance of the grievance raised, Justice Rajasekhar Mantha observed, 

"Let an affidavit and/or a report by way of affidavit be filed on behalf of the State on the allegations in the writ petition and the supplementary affidavit within a period of one week from date. Prior service of such report be made on the Counsel for the petitioner"

Accordingly, the matter was listed for further hearing on January 19, 2022. 

During the proceedings, Advocate General S.N Mookherjee appearing for the State submitted that the allegations made in the plea 'are far from the truth'. He further objected to the filing of a supplementary affidavit by the petitioner on the ground that it enlarges the scope of the writ petition. The Court on Thursday had taken on record a supplementary affidavit moved by Adhikari. 

It may be noted that the High Court back in July 2021 had ruled that the security arrangement of Adhikari was being well-maintained according to the scale of Z category protectee as per the "Yellow Book" by the Government of West Bengal. The Bench of Justice Shivakant Prasad was hearing the plea of Adhikari seeking the State's response as to why his security cover was withdrawn on May 18, 2021. 

Case Title: Suvendu Adhikari v. The State of West Bengal & Ors.

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