The Calcutta High Court vacated interim protection granted to Trinamool Congress leader Jahangir Khan in multiple criminal cases registered in West Bengal, with Justice Partha Sarathi Sen refusing to extend relief from coercive action earlier restraining police from taking immediate steps against the TMC leader.
The Calcutta High Court vacated the interim protection earlier granted to Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Jahangir Khan in connection with multiple criminal cases registered against him in West Bengal.
Justice Partha Sarathi Sen declined to extend the protection from coercive action that had earlier restrained the police from taking immediate steps against Khan. The interim relief had initially been granted on May 18.
According to the police, as many as seven FIRs have been registered against Khan at Falta Police Station in South 24 Parganas district. The cases were reportedly lodged in the aftermath of political tensions and incidents linked to the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections and the subsequent repoll process in the Falta constituency.
During the hearing, Khan’s counsel argued that the criminal proceedings were politically motivated and stemmed from the recent change in the political atmosphere in the State. It was contended that the FIRs were a result of political vendetta and that coercive action against the TMC leader should continue to remain stayed.
However, the Court was not convinced by the submissions seeking continuation of interim protection.
Justice Sen observed that merely alleging political hostility or change in the political scenario could not by itself become a ground for granting indefinite protection from investigation or legal action.
The Court observed while refusing to extend the interim order,
“It would be unjust to give protection to Khan only on account of a change in the political scenario in the state and over the allegation of political vendetta levelled by him,”
Opposing the plea, Additional Advocate General Rajdeep Majumdar submitted before the Court that the interim protection granted earlier had a limited purpose. According to the State, the relief was specifically provided to enable Khan to participate in the repoll conducted at Falta on May 21 without disruption.
The State further pointed out that the repoll process had already concluded and the election results were declared on May 24, making the continuation of interim protection unnecessary.
Accepting the State’s contention, the Court refused to continue the protection and effectively allowed the investigation in the FIRs to proceed in accordance with law.
The case comes amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal following the Assembly elections, where several leaders from different political parties have approached courts alleging politically motivated criminal cases and police action after the change in political circumstances in the State.
The developments surrounding Jahangir Khan’s case are part of a series of politically sensitive litigations currently being heard before the Calcutta High Court involving allegations of post-election violence, intimidation, and misuse of criminal law by rival political factions.
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