Calcutta HC vacates interim protection to TMC’s Jahangir Khan

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday vacated an interim protection granted to TMC leader Jahangir Khan. According to police, seven FIRs have been registered against Khan at Falta police station in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district.

A vacation bench of Justice Partha Sarathi Sen observed that it would be unjust to extend protection solely on the basis of a change in the political scenario in the state and allegations of political vendetta made by the petitioner.

Justice Sen refused Khan’s prayer for extension of interim protection from coercive action by police, which was granted by the court on May 18. The court directed that the matter would be heard again before the regular bench after the summer vacation.

Seeking extension of interim protection from coercive action to Khan, his counsel Kishore Dutta submitted before the court that because of a change in the political scenario in the state, seven criminal cases were lodged against Khan after the assembly election results on May 4.

Alleging political vendetta against his client, Dutta stated that the interim protection was not only for Khan’s participation in the election process, but also to protect him from persecution. Opposing Khan’s plea, Additional Advocate General Rajdeep Majumdar stated that the protection was granted only for Khan to participate in the repoll at Falta on May 21, the result of which was declared on May 24. The court noted the AAG’s submission that a coordinate bench’s interim protection to Khan in connection with a separate petition was also vacated on Tuesday. During the hearing, the AAG placed on record a report from the inspector-in-charge of Falta police station stating that seven cases had been registered against Khan.  It was submitted that the allegations indicated prima facie involvement or instigation in criminal incidents.

Majumdar further argued that although Khan had received interim protection for participating in the repoll and campaigning, he had publicly announced his withdrawal from the contest the next day.

Khan secured fourth position in the Falta Assembly constituency election.