SC Allows Centre To Withdraw 7 CAPF Companies From Bengal

In a setback to the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal, the Supreme Court on Friday allowed the Centre to withdraw seven out of 15 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts.

The apex court stayed the Calcutta High Court order that had restrained the government from doing so.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra accepted the Centre’s submission that the Armed Forces will be deployed in election-bound states, including Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

Appearing for the government, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Maninder Singh submitted that the Centre took the decision to protect the interest of the public in the area.

The bench asked the Bengal government to reply to the Centre's petition in a week, while posting the matter for November 27.

Pursuant to the Calcutta High Court order, the Centre had deployed 15 companies at the scene of unrest over the statehood demand.

In its plea, the government has submitted that deployment of Armed Forces is beyond the judicial review and the forces are not meant for the requirement of the state’s law and order problem.

Further, it said the Election Commission of India has asked for the Armed Forces to conduct polls in various states.

On October 17, in an interim order, the high court had stayed the government’s decision till today.

While hearing a PIL in July, the high court had directed the Centre to deploy four companies of the CAPF in addition to the 11 already present in the hills.

The Bengal government had requested the Centre for extension of deployment of CAPF till December 25, which was declined by the Centre.