West Bengal Panchayat Polls: Supreme Court to hear petition challenging deployment of paramilitary forces
1 min read 20 Jun 2023, 08:56 AM ISTThe Supreme Court will hear a plea challenging the Calcutta High Court's order to deploy central forces in West Bengal for the July 8 panchayat polls.
PremiumThe Supreme Court will hear a plea challenging Calcutta High Court's order directing the State Election Commission (SEC) to deploy central forces in West Bengal for the July 8 panchayat polls. The matter will be heard by the Supreme Court's vacation bench of justices Surya Kant and MM Sundresh.
In view of the violence ahead of the Panchayat polls in West Bengal, the Calcutta High Court had directed the State Election Commission (SEC) on June 13 to deploy central forces in all districts of the state. The High Court had condemned the SEC on June 15 for not requestioning the paramilitary forces from the central government and directed the body to implement the court's directives within the next 48 hours.
Also Read: Calcutta HC overstepped judicial powers with Central forces order, SEC tells SC; hearing tomorrow
The SEC has challenged the decision of Calcutta HC in the Supreme Court arguing that the decision to deploy central forces for the upcoming panchayat polls without giving adequate chances to the state poll panel is an over-step of the judicial powers of the High Court. The poll panel also argued that the arrangements made by the state government were sufficient and adequate.
Opposition parties have routinely alleged that West Bengal is witnessing large-scale violence in the run-up to the panchayat polls and had requested the deployment of central paramilitary forces in the state to ensure fair elections.
Seven people have lost their lives in West Bengal since the announcement of panchayat polls including a BJP worker who was found dead in the Cooch Behar district on Saturday.
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Monday said that the instances of poll violence in the state are a reality and the Raj Bhawan has set up a ‘Peace Room’ so that the common man can exercise their franchise fearlessly.
“Violence here (in West Bengal) is a reality and not a fiction. We have to contain and curb it. That's what I am focusing on," the West Bengal Governor said.
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