West Bengal Post-Poll Violence : Supreme Court Adjourns Plea For Probe By 2 Weeks

The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned for 2 weeks a plea filed seeking a court-monitored inquiry into the post-poll violence that took place in West Bengal.

While noting that the Union of India and State of West Bengal are not represented through any Counsel, a Bench comprising Justice Vineet Saran and Justice Dinesh Maheshwari has permitted the petitioner to serve the Central Agency & Standing Counsel for West Bengal.

"Mr Amit Sharma has put appearance for Respondent 3(Election Commission of India). Office Report states that Respondents 1 & 2 have been served but are not represented through any Counsel. Petitioner is permitted to serve Central Agency & Standing Counsel for West Bengal." the Bench recorded.

The Supreme Court had on July 1st issued notice to the Central Government, State of West Bengal, and the Election Commission of India in the case.

During the hearing, Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain appearing for petitioners informed the Court that notices have been served to Respondents 1-3, and there is an office report to that effect.

Advocate Amit Sharma appearing for Election Commission of India submitted that the Office report indicates service has been completed on all Respondents but no counters have been filed.

Filed by Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, the plea submits that thousands of residents of West Bengal are being terrorised, penalised and tortured by workers of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for supporting the opposition party Bharatiya Janata Party during the General Elections of the State Assembly held in April 2021.

The plea submits that post the declaration, TMC supporters and workers started "creating chaos, unrest and set the house and properties of Hindus on fire, looted and plundered their belongings for the simple reason that they had supported BJP in Assembly election". Stating that atleast 15 BJP workers/sympathisers/supporters were murdered in this atmosphere, the petitioner alleges that the Government and administration remained a silent spectator and no protection was provided to the victims.

The Supreme Court is considering two other petitions relating to post-poll violence in West Bengal. A 5-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court is also considering cases related to post-poll violence. The National Human Rights Commission has submitted a fact-finding report before the High Court.

(Case : Ranjana Agnihotri vs Union of India and others)