In Bengal Case, Court Says State's Obligations Not Vested With Poll Panel

Several incidents of violence were reported at various places in West Bengal after the announcement of the poll results on May 2.

The Calcutta High Court today ordered a court-monitored Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the incidents of post-poll violence in West Bengal and stated that Constitutional obligations of the state do not get vested in the Election Commission during the process of elections. "Civil or police administration is under the control of the Election Commission during the process of elections only to ensure free and fair elections. That does not mean that the police stop discharging its normal duties to control law and order," the high court said about the Election Commission's role. The court observed that arguments run contrary to the stand of the state where it claimed that a number of FIRs were registered up to May 3, 2021 for post-poll violence. "The State cannot be allowed to blow hot and cold at the same breath. There is nothing placed on record by the state that even normal law and order, and registration of criminal cases comes within the purview of EC," the court ruled.