West Bengal post-poll violence: Advocate Mamata Banerjee urges Calcutta High Court to protect citizens

Former West Bengal Chief Minister and All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee donned her lawyer's robes on Thursday to appear before the Calcutta High Court in a case concerning recent post-poll violence in the state. [Sirsanya Bandopadhyay v. Union of India & Ors.]

Banerjee appeared before a Division Bench of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed by advocate, Sirsanya Banerjee, son of TMC leader and Senior Advocate Kalyan Banerjee regarding violent incidents in West Bengal following declaration of the results of the State Assembly Elections.

After the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the elections, widespread incidents of organised violence, including arson, looting and physical assault were reported.

According to the PIL filed by Banerjee, the violence was targeted at TMC workers and ordinary citizens and was organised by BJP party workers.

According to reports, Mamata Banerjee today urged the Court to issue directions to protect citizens in light of the ongoing hooliganism and vandalism.

Banerjee further alleged that no one, not even women, children or minorities, were spared by the perpetrators. She also submitted that 10 TMC workers were killed in these incidents.

According to the PIL, the post-poll violence has resulted in multiple fatalities, burning of approximately 60 shops in Khejuri, and displacement of numerous families who remain unable to return home due to a prevailing atmosphere of fear. The PIL included details of several such alleged incidents as well as video recordings of a few of them.

It was also alleged that local administration and police authorities have not taken any action to register FIRs or provide protection to victims.

The PIL stated that this breakdown of law and order constitutes a flagrant violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India.

On these, among other grounds, the PIL has sought orders from the Court to State and police authorities to take necessary action to address and prevent such violent incidents, register FIRS, provide protection to those affected, ensure rehabilitation of those forced to flee their residences, and restoration of damaged properties.

The Calcutta High Court is also seized of another PIL raising similar concerns and seeking measures to prevent further post-poll violence.