Calcutta HC tells Bengal Police to ensure safe return of those displaced after post-poll violence

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed the West Bengal Police to ensure the safe return of persons allegedly displaced from homes, shops or properties after post-poll violence following the Assembly elections, irrespective of their political affiliation, Live Law reported.

The directions were issued during hearings on public interest litigations alleging post-poll violence in the state.

Chief Justice Sujoy Paul said that it would be “lawful for the police authorities to strictly maintain law and order at the ground level”, The Telegraph reported.

Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appeared as an advocate for one of the petitioners in the case.

“Even the children are not spared,” the Trinamool Congress chief told the court, according to The Telegraph. “Women are not spared. Minorities are not spared. I am handing over a list of 10 persons who have been murdered.”

Banerjee claimed that the violence was taking place in the presence of the police.

The Trinamool Congress chief, while exiting the premises, was heckled with shouts of “chor [thief]” by some lawyers, according to the newspaper. Banerjee claimed that she had been physically assaulted.

During the hearing, advocate Kalyan Bandopadhyay also appeared for the Trinamool Congress and sought an independent probe, preservation of CCTV footage and protection for displaced persons, Live Law reported.

“Our workers were brutally assaulted by the ruling party supporters,” the legal news outlet...

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