On Tuesday, June 20, the Supreme Court of India refused to stay the order earlier issued by the Calcutta High Court, directing deployment of central forces for the upcoming West Bengal panchayat polls. The State Election Commission and the West Bengal government had approached the apex court against the two orders passed by the West Bengal High Court, on the plea filed by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari and, Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was also a party in the matter.
A Supreme Court vacation bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Manoj Mishra observed that the High Court’s orders were passed to make sure free and fair elections took place in the state. Justice Nagarathna expressed, “Conduct of elections cannot be a license of violence, looking at the past history and what has been happening in the state, the plea was entertained. So, we do not think that the SEC can have any qualms about the High Court order”.
The bench ordered, “Order of High Court does not call for any interference. We are not interfering with any direction of the High Court. Appeals stand dismissed”.
Back on June 15, the Calcutta High Court had criticized the West Bengal State Election Commission for ‘dragging its feet’ over the deployment of central forces for the panchayat polls. A plea filed by BJP and Congress leaders; they had sought the deployment of central forces for the elections.
