The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea from the BJP seeking a direction to the West Bengal Government, state election panel and other functionaries to prepare a comprehensive action plan and deploy sufficient central police forces to ensure free and fair municipal polls in Kolkata. The apex court asked the petitioner to approach High Court first.
A bench comprising justices L Nagesara Rao and B R Gavai asked the state BJP to withdraw the plea and move the Calcutta High Court with its grievances and relief that more central forces be deployed for smooth and fair conducted of the civic polls in the state capital on December 19. Following notification of the civic polls and the BJP finalising its list of candidates for it, the party's nominees have been threatened and pressured, senior advocate Maninder Singh, who is appearing for the West Bengal BJP, said. He also said that though complaints have been lodged, no FIR has been registered, so far, by the state police.
"Why 32 (under Article 32 of the Constitution, a petition is filed directly in the Supreme Court),” the bench asked, adding that a petition should have been filed in the high court, which is more aware about the security and other local aspects.....The problem is if we start taking this on 32, there would be no end", the bench said, leading to withdrawal of the plea by the West Bengal BJP to move the high court. The apex court, on December 7, had agreed to hear the BJP's plea seeking a direction to the West Bengal Government and others to prepare a comprehensive action plan and deploy sufficient central police forces to ensure free and fair municipal polls in Kolkata.
The top court on November 25 had directed the Union home ministry to provide two additional companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to secure polling booths during the Tripura municipal polls after opposition TMC and CPI (M) alleged that their candidates and supporters were not being allowed to cast their votes.