The Calcutta High Court has granted interim protection to BJP Lok Sabha poll candidates Rekha Patra and Pranat Tudu concerning police cases lodged against them.
The two candidates moved the high court, alleging that false police cases were filed to hinder their presence during the counting process of the Lok Sabha elections.
A single bench of Justice Amrita Sinha directed that police take no action against BJP’s Basirhat candidate Rekha Patra until July 5 in connection with a case lodged against her in the North 24 Parganas district. Her petition will be heard again by the court on June 19. Patra’s lawyer, Billawadal Bhattacharya, submitted that an FIR was lodged against her over an incident on June 1, when elections were held in the Basirhat constituency, which includes Sandeshkhali. Claiming that Patra was not present at the location of the alleged incident, he requested the court to issue necessary orders to ensure she can participate in the counting process without hindrance.
Justice Sinha also ordered a stay on further police action against BJP’s Jhargram candidate Pranat Tudu until June 21 concerning a case lodged against him at Garhbeta police station in Paschim Medinipur district.
The court stated that it was granting protection because the petitioner is a contesting candidate, and his presence may be required during the counting of votes and the declaration of the election result. Bhattacharya, also representing Tudu, submitted that Tudu had been attacked on May 25, when polling for the Jhargram constituency took place in the sixth phase. Claiming that his complaint about the attack was not given due importance, he noted that a complaint lodged against him by a TMC functionary at the same police station was registered as an FIR.
The state’s counsels opposed both petitions, arguing that the investigations were in the initial stages and should not be stopped.
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