Kolkata, 4 June (H.S.): The Supreme Court has strongly condemned the 2021 post-poll violence in West Bengal against BJP workers, labeling it a “dastardly offence” and a “grave attack on democracy.” The ruling came in response to a CBI plea challenging the Calcutta High Court’s decision to grant bail to several accused individuals. The CBI argued that the bail was granted on irrelevant grounds, compromising the possibility of a fair trial. The Supreme Court, noting the severity of the allegations—including a targeted attack on a complainant’s house on election results day in 2021 due to their BJP support—cancelled the bail, citing the accused’s intent to terrorize political opponents. The court highlighted the stalled trial since the 2022 charge-sheet, attributing delays to the accused’s non-cooperation.

The accused, charged under various IPC sections including 143, 147, 148, 149, 326, 354, 376 read with 511, and 450, must surrender within two weeks, or face coercive measures. The trial court is directed to conclude proceedings within six months, with West Bengal’s Home Secretary and DGP tasked to protect the complainant and witnesses. The CBI or complainant can report violations directly to the Supreme Court.

The case stems from an FIR filed in December 2021, following violence against a complainant, a Hindu BJP supporter in a Trinamool-dominated village. Allegations include vandalism, looting, and assault on the complainant’s wife, with police initially refusing to register the complaint. After Calcutta High Court petitions, a CBI probe was ordered for cases involving murder and crimes against women, leading to the charge-sheet against the accused.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey