The Calcutta High Court Today (May 24th) slammed the West Bengal Police for its recent raid at the premises of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Leader Suvendu Adhikari and asked whether the police would have acted in similar fashion against any ruling party leader in the state.
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KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court issued a stern rebuke to the West Bengal Police for a recent raid on the premises of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Leader Suvendu Adhikari.
Justice Amrita Sinha questioned whether the police would have conducted similar actions against any ruling party leader in the state.
The court’s reprimand came during a hearing of Adhikari’s petition, which sought action against the police officers who entered his office-cum-residence at Kolaghat on May 21. Adhikari’s plea also requested an order to prevent authorities from trespassing on his property.
“Heavens will not fall if you wait for some days,”
-the court admonished the police, instructing them to refrain from taking any action against Adhikari until June 17. Additionally, the court stayed the investigation into the allegations that prompted the raid.
Justice Sinha expressed skepticism about the police’s urgency in conducting the raid, noting that such operations should only be carried out by the Flying Squad when the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is in force.
“I wish you got such information regarding the ruling party leaders. Would you have shown such speed?”
-she asked pointedly.
The judge further restrained the police from any action against the Leader of Opposition, referencing an earlier order from a coordinate bench that directed the State Police not to take any coercive action against Adhikari without the court’s prior permission.
In his petition, Adhikari alleged that the raid was orchestrated by the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government to disrupt his activities during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
A significant number of policemen searched Adhikari’s house, purportedly in search of a local miscreant who was absconding in a case. However, no arrests were made during the raid.
The State contended in court that the police had received information about the storage of arms and cash at the premises. They also claimed that the police were unaware that the premises were connected to Adhikari, as they were rented by a third party. The State argued that Adhikari had no involvement with the raid and could not legitimately voice the grievances of others.
Adhikari’s petition asserted that the police did not possess a warrant to search the premises and had entered with the intent to harass and discredit him.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Suvendu Adhikari
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