The Supreme Court has declined to interfere with the Calcutta High Court’s order on the All India Trinamool Congress’s plea to operate four frozen bank accounts, observing that, with the Election Commission having frozen the party symbol, the larger question of who is entitled to operate the accounts has to be decided. Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued the party was being paralysed, while Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed the plea.
Two All India Trinamool Congress leaders, including a sitting MLA, approached the Calcutta High Court seeking protection from coercive police action over criminal cases registered after West Bengal Assembly election results, with Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya agreeing to hear the petitions Thursday.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra emphasized the judiciary’s crucial role in democracy, urging judges to act with courage and integrity. She criticized the fear of judges in granting relief to opposition leaders and raised concerns about the retirement age of judges. Moitra’s speech ignited a debate on the judiciary’s role in a democratic society.