The Calcutta High Court has directed the newly-elected BJP government in West Bengal to “strictly maintain law and order at the ground level,” following allegations of post-poll violence in the state. This instruction comes after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee informed the court of police inaction during periods of unrest, emphasizing that “Bengal is not a bulldozer state” amidst ongoing demolition drives against illegal structures.
The court’s order requires police to ensure the safety of individuals who have fled their homes due to fears of retaliatory violence and to aid in their secure return to their properties, irrespective of their political affiliations. This directive was issued during the hearing of a writ petition filed by TMC candidate Sirsanya Bandyopadhyay, son of Kalyan Banerjee. The petition alleges extensive violence targeting party workers and TMC offices after the announcement of results for the 2026 assembly elections on May 4.
Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen, presiding over the case, instructed the state to submit an affidavit in opposition within three weeks, granting an additional two weeks for a response while leaving open the question of the TMC’s public interest litigation’s maintainability.
Kalyan Banerjee, assisting the petitioner’s counsel, stated that at least ten individuals have been killed, approximately 150-160 TMC offices have been vandalized, and nearly 2,000 incidents of violence have been reported post-elections. He claimed that police were refusing to register FIRs, alleging that women, children, and minorities were being specifically targeted. “Out of ten dead, six are Hindus. They are not allowing FIRs to be lodged. In my family, 12-year-old girls are being threatened with rape,” Banerjee contended.
He further criticized the police for failing to control the situation, asserting that individuals accused of unauthorized construction should be afforded the opportunity to be heard before any demolition occurs. Banerjee questioned the police’s inaction, stating, “People are entitled to be heard even if you are demolishing an unauthorized structure. Criminals are taking law into their own hands. Police should prevent crime. After an incident has happened, will they not investigate?”
