‘Elections Cannot Be A License For Violence’: SC While Allowing Deployment Of Central Forces In Upcoming West Bengal Panchayat Polls

The Supreme Court today (20 June) declined to intervene in a decision made by Calcutta High Court regarding the deployment of central forces for the forthcoming panchayat polls in West Bengal.

A vacation bench consisting of Justices BV Nagarathna and Manoj Misra acknowledged that the High Court's order aimed to ensure fair and unhindered elections in the state. The Supreme Court, dismissed the appeals brought by the West Bengal government and the State Election Commission (SEC).

The court observed that holding elections cannot be a license for violence and categorically stated that elections cannot be accompanied with violence and if persons are not able to file their nominations, how can free and fair elections be held.

The appeals before the Supreme Court were filed by the West Bengal Government and the SEC in response to two orders issued by the Calcutta High Court. The primary objection centered around the High Court's order to immediately deploy central forces in "sensitive" constituencies for the upcoming panchayat polls.

The challenged orders were issued by the High Court in response to public interest litigation (PIL) petitions filed by Suvendu Adhikari and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

Both politicians approached the High Court to contest the SEC's decision to notify the schedule for the Panchayat elections. They sought the deployment of central forces, which was granted by the High Court.