Calcutta HC's interim stay on State Election Commission's order

The Calcutta High Court today passed an interim stay on the West Bengal Election Commission's order that cancelled its previous directive to extend deadline for filing of panchayat poll nominations.

The SEC last night extended by a day the process of filing of nomination, but revoked the order this morning.

State BJP leader Pratap Bandopadhyay moved the high court challenging the cancellation.

Justice Subrata Talukdar heard the petitioner and his opponent in his chamber, following resistance by lawyers in view of the ongoing ceasework.

Emerging from the judge's chamber, Bandopadhyay said that the court has passed an interim injunction on SEC's cancellation of its yesterday's order and said that the matter would be heard again on April 23.

All parties involved in the matter have been asked to file affidavits stating their position on the matter.

Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee, who appeared for the party, said that though the court has passed a stay on the order, it has refused to interfere with the election process.

Banerjee, who is also a senior lawyer, said that since scrutiny of nominations are scheduled to be held tomorrow, the interim order would not affect the election process.

The panchayat elections will be held in the state in three phases - on May 1, 3 and 5.

The SEC yesterday said that nominations would be received at designated state government offices from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm, but cancelled the order this morning.

State counsel Banerjee said that he has mentioned before Justice Talukdar that the BJP has also moved an application before the Supreme Court on the same issue and claimed that "one cannot move a particular plea before the two courts at the same time".

He said that Justice Talukdar has agreed to hear the issue of the BJP approaching both apex court and the high court tomorrow morning.