A PIL before the Calcutta High Court alleges post-election violence, bulldozer use during political rallies, and vandalism in Kolkata following West Bengal Assembly results. Justices Arijit Banerjee and Rai Chattopadhyay permitted formal filing and scheduled hearing Friday.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Calcutta High Court over reports of post-election violence and the alleged use of bulldozers during political rallies, as well as incidents of vandalism in Kolkata. The petition reportedly draws attention to alleged violence and damage to property connected to political celebrations following the West Bengal Assembly election results.
The matter was placed before a Division Bench consisting of Justice Arijit Banerjee and Justice Rai Chattopadhyay. The Bench allowed the petition to be formally filed and is expected to hear it on Friday.
Advocate Ritankar Das, who brought up the PIL before the Court, said the plea raises serious concerns about the use of bulldozers and heavy earth-moving machines during political processions. The petition also points to alleged vandalism of a statue of Vladimir Lenin in Murshidabad, along with demolition-related incidents in the New Market–Hogg Market area of Kolkata.
The PIL further claims that shops and structures in the Hogg Market area were allegedly damaged with bulldozers during post-poll victory rallies. The controversy reportedly grew after videos circulated online that allegedly showed a payloader being used during a BJP victory procession near New Market after the election results were announced.
Leaders of the Trinamool Congress alleged that an office of a hawker union associated with the party, along with nearby shops, was vandalized during the procession.
Amid the dispute, Kolkata Police reportedly arrested eight persons in connection with the alleged vandalism and bulldozer procession. Reports indicate that four persons were detained on Wednesday afternoon and four more were arrested later in the evening. An FIR has reportedly been registered under multiple legal sections against those taken into custody.
In response to these incidents and the escalating tensions, the Bengal Police later announced a ban on the use of bulldozers and payloaders during political rallies and victory processions across the State. Authorities also warned that individuals renting out such machinery for political purposes could face legal action.
The PIL is being heard at a time when several areas of West Bengal have reported post-election clashes, vandalism, and political violence following the Assembly election results. Reports of injuries, deaths, and property damage have further intensified political tensions in the State, leading to calls for judicial intervention and stronger enforcement.
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