A division bench of the Calcutta High Court has instructed the West Bengal Police to provide a report on the incidents of eggs being thrown at political figures and workers in the state since the announcement of the Assembly election results on June 4. The court’s Acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee issued this directive after a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed by the Trinamool Congress.
The PIL alleged that BJP activists targeted Trinamool Congress leaders with eggs in the presence of the police, who allegedly did not intervene during these incidents. However, the division bench declined the petitioner’s request for an interim order on this issue. The court emphasized the importance of the state government informing them about the measures taken by the police to prevent such attacks involving eggs.
The bench highlighted the necessity of not only making arrests but also creating broader social awareness to address these incidents effectively. It stressed the responsibility of the state administration in ensuring the safety of all individuals. The state government’s counsel informed the court that despite repeated appeals to the public to avoid vigilantism, the lack of specific complaints hindered the administration’s ability to take concrete action.
The petitioner’s counsel, Kalyan Banerjee, a four-time Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member, accused the police of orchestrating the egg-throwing incidents. Banerjee argued that such attacks, even in secure locations like airports, were being encouraged by certain individuals. He questioned the government’s response to these events and sought an interim order from the court, which was ultimately denied.
