Plea In Supreme Court Seeks SIT Probe Into Alleged Killings Of BJP Workers By TMC In Post-Poll Violence In West Bengal

Filed by Advocate Ghanshyam Upadhyay, the plea seeks directions for disassociation of the West Bengal Government from investigation into the cases and, for a report to be submitted by the West Bengal Governor so as to aid the Apex Court to discern whether there has been any breakdown of Constitutional machineries in the State and to consequently advice the President to issue a proclamation under Article 356.

The petition highlights that after the declaration of TMC as the ruling party in the State on 2^nd May, "massacre killings of suspected BJP workers/supporters and destruction of their houses/properties have taken place" and have reportedly left the remaining workers/supporters with no option but to leave their residence and seek refuge.

"In a nutshell, from media reports, it is clearly discernible that there is subversion of Constitution by State Government while professing to work under the Constitution and the State ruled by the Respondent No.3 and her political party have been indulging in creating disunity and disaffection among the people of the State to disintegrate the democratic social fabric and in the process, have been resorting to subvert its basic feature/democracy".

Referring to "Shrimad Ramcharit Manas", it is contended that the king has a duty toward his people and similarly, in a democracy, a person who is elected to as a Chief Minister of a State ceases to be just a political leader and is duty bound to act in the interest and welfare of the entire State, irrespective of their political affiliations.

"So far as the Respondent No. 3 is concerned, she seems to have forgotten her 'rajdharm' completely and with the result, she is found to be treating certain class of people of the State who have campaigned in election and voted against her/her political party, as her worst enemies and with the result, people belong to her and political party viz. TMC in tacit understanding with the Respondent No.3 have resorted to killings/massacre of the people belonging to BJP and law enforcing agencies/police machineries of the State have become silent spectators to such ghastly and heinous crimes."

The plea goes on to submit that the Chief Minister and her party are seeking to subvert the principles of a responsible government and to set up a party dictatorship, thereby leading to complete chaos and anarchy in the State as well as putting the lives of the rival party, i.e. BJP, at stake.

Calling the alleged massacre of 16 BJP workers as "Talibanisation of the country by the people in power", the plea prays for an SIT to be constituted, headed by a retired Judge of the Supreme Court as well as retired officials from Central Investigating agencies to probe into the killings and for the declaration of President's Rule in the State.