Beldanga Communal Violence | Allegations Of Damage To Religious Idols Not Proven, Situation Under Control: Calcutta HC Records BSF, DM's Report

On the issue of instances of communal violence in Beldanga, Murshidabad, the Calcutta High Court had called for a joint report of the BSF and DIG on the ground situation in the area, after a plea had flagged ongoing communal tensions and violence.

A division bench of Justices Harish Tandon and Hiranmay Bhattacharya upon perusing the report noted that the allegations of communal violence stemming from the vandalism of religious idols of a certain community could not be substantiated. The court also noted that the report mentioned the prevailing normalcy in the area at present, and directed the state to monitor the on-ground situation.

"After going through the said reports, this Court finds that on account of the incidents that allegedly took place in Beldanga in the district of Murshidabad and adjoining areas, there were some damages caused to some properties as well as vehicles. The allegations of causing damage to the idols could not be substantiated. The report of the District Magistrate, Murshidabad indicates that internet services were restored...and Schools and Educational Institutions and business and markets have returned to normalcy. There are Police pickets in Madda and Begunbari Gram Panchayat and Beldanga Municipality and the situation is normal in those places," the Court noted.

It was further noted by the court that both the DM and DIG, BSF had revealed that the situation in the area was under control and that the area being a border town, three parties of BSF personnel were stationed in the nearby areas outside Beldanga to maintain surveillance in the area as well as to restore peace in the affected areas and to take prompt and appropriate steps.

Advocate General submitted that the State shall take adequate steps to ensure that no breach of peace shall take place and shall also take steps to prevent recurrence of similar incidents in future. He also submitted that the proceedings initiated against accused persons shall also be taken to its logical end as expeditiously as possible.

Accordingly, in noting the normalcy in the area, the court stated that the State be given an opportunity to deal with the allegations in the writ petition, and directed it to file an affidavit, while adjourning the hearing of the matter.

Case: SANJUKTA SAMANTA Vs. UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

Case No: WPA (P) 477 OF 2024

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