The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed the West Bengal government to submit a detailed affidavit explaining the steps it has taken to prevent repeated egg-throwing attacks on Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders and workers. However, the court declined the party's request for interim directions.
The matter came up before a Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Tapobrata Chakraborty and Justice Parthasarathi Chatterjee during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the TMC.
Appearing for the party, senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee sought immediate interim relief, alleging that TMC leaders and workers were being targeted during arrests and public appearances. The Bench, however, refused to pass any interim order, noting that the State had already acknowledged the issue and would be required to file a comprehensive response.
Questioning the State's approach, Acting Chief Justice Chakraborty observed, "What steps have you taken to stop these egg-throwing incidents? Arresting one or two people will not solve the problem. Social awareness has to be created."
Justice Parthasarathi Chatterjee added, "It is the government's responsibility to ensure everyone's safety."
Responding on behalf of the State, Advocate General Rajdeep Majumdar submitted, "We have already said that no one should take the law into their own hands. But if no complaint is received, how are we expected to take action?"
Kalyan Banerjee countered the State's stand, alleging that law enforcement personnel themselves were involved in some of the incidents. "The police themselves are doing this. What are ordinary people supposed to do then? Interim directions should be issued today itself. Such attacks are taking place even at places like the airport. Ministers are publicly saying people should throw eggs. What action has the government taken?" he argued.
The Bench reiterated that since the State had accepted that such incidents had occurred, there was no need for an interim order at this stage. Instead, it directed the government to file a detailed affidavit outlining the measures taken to curb such incidents.
The PIL, filed on June 22 by advocate Shirshanya Banerjee, son of Kalyan Banerjee, alleges a series of "planned attacks" against TMC leaders, including MLAs Kunal Ghosh and Madan Mitra, and MPs Abhishek Banerjee, Kalyan Banerjee and Derek O'Brien. The petition also claims that party workers have been assaulted and party offices vandalised.
The case comes amid a wave of arrests of TMC leaders across West Bengal following the change in government. In several instances, BJP workers and sections of local residents have allegedly hurled eggs at arrested TMC leaders while they were being escorted by police to police stations or courts. In some cases, police have reportedly made detainees wear helmets to protect them from such attacks.
