Former chief minister Mamata Banerjee appeared before the Calcutta High Court over a PIL on post-election violence and police inaction allegations. She pleaded, “My humble submission is to please protect the people of Bengal. This is not a bulldozer state.”
Former West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee appeared before the Calcutta High Court on Thursday in connection with a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging post-election violence in the state.
The petition sought directions to the court to ensure protection for residents and accused the police of failing to take action against attacks and intimidation.
Presenting her submissions before Chief Justice Sujoy Pal, Banerjee urged immediate safeguards, saying,
“My humble submission is to please protect the people of Bengal. This is not a bulldozer state,”
The case relates to allegations of assaults on political workers and attacks on party offices following the high-stakes elections in which the TMC ended its 15-year rule and the BJP came to power in West Bengal. Banerjee, who completed her law degree from Jogesh Chandra College of Law in 1982, also told the court that it was her first appearance before the High Court and added that she was contesting the matter in her capacity as a lawyer.
During the proceedings, She said,
“My regard to all the judges because this is my first time appearing in HC. As a lawyer I’m fighting this case”
Banerjee further claimed that violence and intimidation were continuing in multiple regions and requested urgent judicial intervention.
She told the court,
“We want immediate protection for the people. In front of police they are capturing and looting houses and offices.I have already given pictures,”
Raising concerns about law and order, Banerjee alleged that police were not permitting FIRs to be filed and claimed that the violence was disproportionately affecting people.
She said,
“Out of ten dead, six are Hindus. Please tell police to behave properly. They are not allowing FIRs to be lodged. In my family, 12 year old girls are being threatened with rape.”
According to her, the situation was worsening each day and disrupting everyday life across the state. The former chief minister told the court,
“The matter is increasing everyday. Even fish markets are being broken. We don’t have any problem with who wants to eat what,”
The petition was filed by advocate Sirsanya Banerjee, the son of TMC leader-cum-advocate Kalyan Bandopadhyay, and also a TMC candidate from the Uttarpara assembly constituency. The petitioner alleged incidents of post-poll violence in several areas, including attacks on party offices and the displacement of workers.
Senior advocate Kalyan Bandopadhyay was also present in court.
Kalyan Bandopadhyay told the court that many TMC party offices were burnt. He also referred to the 2021 post-election violence case and pointed out that the chief justice had then constituted a five-judge bench, adding that the current incidents were reportedly more serious.
The TMC has approached the Calcutta High Court seeking judicial intervention over alleged post-poll violence across West Bengal after the BJP’s victory in the assembly elections.
The matter was mentioned before Chief Justice Sujoy Paul. In the plea, the party alleged multiple incidents of arson, vandalism, and attacks on TMC workers and party offices in different parts of the state following the election results.
The petition requested directions for the protection of affected party workers and a proper investigation into the alleged violence.
Reports of clashes and vandalism were reported from several locations including Kolkata, Howrah, and district towns.
Both the BJP and the TMC have reportedly traded allegations regarding the incidents. TMC leaders claimed that several party workers were killed after the election results and demanded a court-monitored probe.
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said,
“Mamata Banerjee is a leader who stays with the people and workers. Today, she is in the role of an advocate, fighting for the people.”
Meanwhile, on Banerjee arriving at court, BJP MLA Sajal Ghosh said,
“She can go. She has gone there because it is her right… What work does she have now?…”
In the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, the BJP won 207 seats, ending the TMC’s 15-year rule, while the TMC managed to secure 80 seats.