Calcutta High Court Extends Police Protection To Family Of Congress Worker Killed In Panchayat Poll Violence Upon Finding They Were Being Threatened By Accused

The Calcutta High Court has extended the police protection granted to the family of an Indian National Congress worker who was allegedly killed by members and workers of the ruling political dispensation.

In a plea by the slain worker's wife, a single bench of Justice Jay Sengupta directed the local police authorities to ensure the safety of the petitioner, upon noting from mobile tower location records that she was being threatened by the accused to withdraw her complaint.  It observed:

They are roaming around freely and threatening the petitioner to withdraw her complaint. Even after the directions passed by this Court, the miscreants continue to do such mischief. The [mobile] tower locations of the respective accused would bear out the same. The police shall keep a sharp vigil at the locale and ensure that no breach of peace takes place and no harm is done to the petitioner. The police picket consisting of two police personnel one of whom is armed, as placed in front of the petitioner’s house by the local police shall continue for a period of 3 months.

It was submitted by the petitioner that the private respondents, being members of the ruling party had attacked her husband, who succumbed to his injuries. It was argued that the investigation was not being done properly and that the accused had not yet been arrested. 

 Counsel for the respondents denied the allegations in the writ petition and argued that some of the accused were granted anticipatory bail, while some were granted regular bail, with some anticipatory bail applications pending. 

It was submitted by the State that a thorough investigation was ongoing and that several accused had been arrested.

Upon noting the submissions, the Court disposed of the plea by directing the police to keep a tight vigil on the area, and to ensure that no harm came to the petitioner, or no breach of peace took place. 

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Cal) 340

Case: Rubi Khatun Versus The State of West Bengal & Ors.

Case No:  WPA 23946 of 2023

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