‘Duty of state’: Calcutta High Court mandates security for Bengal Opposition leaders’ convoys
Calcutta High Court issued the directive in response to a petition filed by Suvendu Adhikari, who claimed that Opposition leaders are being targeted and subjected to repeated acts of violence.
Adhikari said that BJP will not allow the West Bengal assembly elections to be held unless the state’s electoral rolls were cleaned thoroughly by the ongoing SIR exercise
(File photo). The Calcutta High Court Monday directed the West Bengal Government to ensure proper safety measures for the convoys of Opposition leaders, including Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. This directive came in response to a petition filed by Adhikari, who alleged that opposition leaders have been targeted and have faced recurring acts of violence.
The division bench of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen said, “Since the State has prayed for time, it shall be the duty of the state to ensure that in the meantime political leaders, ministers, MPs move in the area, they shall be given adequate protection in accordance with their entitlement.”
The state sought time because senior counsel was unavailable to argue the matter. The next hearing date is February 18.
The writ petition filed in October 2025 claimed that although prior notifications were given to the police and prescribed protocols were followed, the convoy and programme of the Opposition leaders were attacked.
During the previous hearing, the counsel for Adhikari alleged that police, under the pretence of ‘route lining,’ were orchestrating the attacks. The counsel further claimed that sensitive movement details of Opposition leaders were being leaked, resulting in gatherings of antisocial elements who then attacked the leaders’ convoys.
In January, Adhikari’s convoy was allegedly attacked at Chandrakona while he was returning to Kolkata from Purulia. According to Adhikari, the attack was carried out by activists of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
However, a police complaint was filed against Adhikari, alleging he incited tension in the area. Adhikari subsequently moved to the Calcutta High Court seeking a CBI investigation into the matter.
Justice Suvra Ghosh granted interim protection from coercive police action against Adhikari, in connection with a case registered against him at the Chandrakona police station in the West Midnapore district. The court directed that no coercive steps be taken against him till January 29.
In October 2025, BJP MP Khagen Murmu and MLA Shankar Ghosh were attacked in Nagrakata, Jalpaiguri, while they were on their way to assist flood-affected individuals. Their car was targeted with stones and bricks, resulting in severe head injuries for Murmu. The BJP alleged that the attackers were affiliated with the TMC.
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