Calcutta HC directs no coercive action against TMC’s Falta candidate ahead of repolling

The Calcutta High Court on Monday directed the West Bengal Police not to take coercive action against Trinamool Congress leader Jahangir Khan, who is a candidate in the Falta Assembly constituency where repolling will take place, Live Law reported.

The repolling will be held on May 21 and the votes will be counted on May 26.

Justice Saugata Bhattacharya was hearing a plea by Khan, who alleged that he was being targeted with several criminal cases during the election and sought protection from coercive actions.

Khan also asked that he be informed about all pending first information reports against him.

Deputy Solicitor General Dhiraj Trivedi, representing the newly-formed Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state, said that the cases against Khan pertain to allegations of booth capturing and voter intimidation.

On May 4, the BJP defeated the TMC in the state polls, ending the 15-year rule of the Mamata Banerjee-led party.

While voting in Falta was held on April 29, the Election Commissioner on May 2 ordered repolling in the constituency citing “severe electoral offences”. There had been allegations of electoral malpractices in the seat.

The poll panel said that it had received complaints from political parties and candidates, and there were reports “alleging application of black adhesive tape/perfume on ballot unit buttons of EVMs [Electronic Voting Machines] in favour of or...

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