Calcutta High Court Orders Protection for Victims of Post-Poll Violence in West Bengal

The Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal administration and police authorities to ensure the safe return of people allegedly displaced from their homes and properties following incidents of post-poll violence after the 2026 Assembly elections. The court emphasized that protection must be provided to all affected individuals regardless of their political affiliation.
The order was passed by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen while hearing multiple public interest litigations related to alleged violence and intimidation in different parts of the state after the election results were declared. The bench instructed the police to maintain law and order and ensure that people forced to flee their homes due to political clashes are allowed to return safely without fear or intimidation.
During the hearing, the court observed that every citizen has the right to live peacefully and securely, irrespective of political identity. The judges stated that authorities are responsible for protecting displaced residents and preventing further violence in sensitive areas. The bench also sought affidavits from all parties involved and indicated that the matter may later be referred to a larger five-judge bench, similar to proceedings related to post-poll violence after the 2021 Assembly elections.
The hearing drew major political attention after former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally appeared before the court wearing a lawyer’s robe to argue one of the petitions. During her submissions, Banerjee alleged that widespread violence had taken place across the state following the election results and accused the police administration of failing to respond effectively to complaints from victims.
She claimed that women, children and minority communities were among those targeted during the unrest. According to her submissions, several houses, shops and party offices were vandalised, while many people were allegedly forced to leave their homes due to fear of attacks. Banerjee also alleged that some victims were being prevented from registering FIRs with local police stations.
Criticising alleged demolition drives and coercive actions, she remarked before the court that “West Bengal is not a bulldozer state.” She urged the judiciary to provide immediate protection to affected residents and ensure accountability for those involved in the violence.
Senior advocate Kalyan Bandopadhyay, representing the Trinamool Congress, also informed the court that several party workers had been assaulted and displaced after the elections. He requested the court to order an independent investigation into the incidents and sought directions for the preservation of CCTV footage and other evidence linked to the clashes.
Bandopadhyay further argued that immediate intervention was necessary to prevent escalation of tensions and restore confidence among displaced residents. The petitions also sought action against those allegedly responsible for attacks, intimidation and destruction of property in different districts.
However, lawyers representing the state and central authorities questioned the maintainability of the public interest litigations and challenged the evidence presented before the court. Deputy Solicitor General Dhiraj Trivedi argued that many allegations were based on unverified photographs and lacked proper authentication. He stated that police authorities would act wherever genuine complaints were received and appropriate legal action would be taken in accordance with the law.
The hearings come amid heightened political tension in West Bengal after the Assembly election results led to reports of clashes, vandalism and retaliatory attacks involving supporters of rival political parties in several districts. The High Court’s intervention is being viewed as a significant step toward addressing concerns over law and order and ensuring protection for citizens affected by the violence.