The Calcutta High Court will hear on May 12 a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking urgent judicial intervention to prevent incidents of post-election violence, vandalism and alleged unlawful demolition of properties across West Bengal following the recently concluded Assembly elections.
The Bench of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen is scheduled to hear the matter on Tuesday.
Filing the PIL on behalf of 22-year-old postgraduate student Rounak Mukherjee, Advocate Ritankar Das said that they would seek advancement of the hearing date in view of the urgency involved. The petition alleged a sharp rise in incidents involving vandalism, political violence, destruction of public statues and demolition of private properties in different parts of the State after the declaration of election results.
As per the plea, several incidents have been reported in which shops, commercial establishments and private structures were allegedly demolished or threatened with demolition without issuance of prior notice or adjudication by a competent statutory authority. The plea alleges violation of principles of natural justice, due process requirements and constitutional protections relating to property and personal liberty.
Specific reference has been made to incidents occurring in and around New Market, also known as Hogg Market, where bulldozers and heavy machinery were allegedly used for demolition activities in the presence of political workers. The petition claims that the incidents created panic among traders, local residents and business owners operating in the area.
The petitioner has further relied on video footage allegedly circulating in the public domain which, according to the plea, prima facie depicts acts of destruction and demolition taking place in a coercive atmosphere. It has been alleged that police personnel present at the sites failed to take preventive or remedial measures to control the situation or disperse unlawful assemblies.
The PIL also referred to an incident dated May 5 involving alleged vandalism of a statue of Vladimir Lenin at Jiaganj in Murshidabad district. According to the plea, the statue was allegedly damaged by a mob using iron rods and hammers, leading to tension in the locality.
The petition sought the issuance of appropriate writs and directions for immediate preventive action to curb vandalism and protect private and public properties across the State. It further sought an independent inquiry into the alleged demolition incidents near New Market/Hogg Market and related allegations concerning administrative inaction and law enforcement failure.
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