Page 8 - Calcutta High Court

Cal HC sets aside probe order into tampering with rural poll nominations

A division bench of the Calcutta High Court on Monday set aside a single bench direction to the CBI to probe into an allegation of tampering with documents and misrepresenting information provided in nomination papers of two panchayat poll candidates in Howrah district. The court, however, directed the West Bengal police to inquire into the matter under the supervision of a one-man commission of Justice (retd) Debiprosad Dey. The order of the division bench presided by Justice Arijit Banerjee came on an appeal by the state government challenging the direction of the single bench for CBI investigation. The police were directed by the division bench to file a report on the enquiry after three weeks before the single judge, before whom the petition was initially moved. Panchayat elections, however, are scheduled to be held in West Bengal on July 8. Justice Amrita Sinha had on June 21 directed the CBI to probe the allegations by July 5 and to file a report before the court on July 7.

822 companies of central forces for Bengal rural polls: SEC to Calcutta HC

The State Election Commission (SEC) on Friday informed Calcutta High Court that it has requisitioned 485 companies of central forces in addition to 337 companies already asked for, taking the total to 822 companies for the July 8 panchayat polls in West Bengal. Hearing a contempt petition that the high court's orders were willfully disobeyed by the commission, a division bench presided by Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam directed the SEC to file an affidavit stating whether it has complied with the court's orders with regard to holding free and fair panchayat polls or there was any attempt to make the orders unworkable at different stages. SEC counsel Kishore Dutta submitted before the bench that the commission has sent a letter to the Union Home ministry seeking 485 companies of central forces in addition to the requisition already sent for 315 and 22 companies, taking the total to 822 companies. The court had on June 21 directed the SEC to requisition more than 82,000 central forces .

MHA offers to deploy 337 companies of central forces for WB panchayat polls

The State Election Commission (SEC) made a requisition for 822 companies for the upcoming WB panchayat polls to be held on July 8

Calcutta HC directs EC to deploy more Central forces than in 2013

The court observed that there are more districts now compared to 2013, and it is going to be a single-phased election while in 2013 there were five phases of elections

WB panchayat polls: Contempt plea filed at HC on central forces deployment

Two separate contempt of court petitions have been filed at division bench of HC's Chief Justice Sivagnanam against State EC for not adhering to earlier order of same bench for deployment of army

WB Panchayat polls: SC to hear plea against deployment of central forces

The Supreme Court agreed to hear on Tuesday a plea challenging an order of the Calcutta High Court directing the State Election Commission (SEC) to requisition and deploy central forces across West Bengal for the panchayat elections. The matter was mentioned on Monday before a vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and M M Sundresh by senior advocate Meenakshi Arora who sought an urgent hearing. Arora, who was appearing for the SEC, told the appeal against the order was filed on Friday last but was not taken up. The high court on June 15 had directed the SEC to requisition and deploy central forces across West Bengal for the panchayat elections within 48 hours. The court had noted that no appreciable steps have been taken ever since an order was passed by it on June 13 to deploy central forces in sensitive areas for the poll process. The high court had directed the SEC to requisition the deployment of central forces for all the districts in the state which were rocked by violence o

Narada sting operation: HC gives CBI 4 months to complete TMC MP probe

Calcutta High Court's single judge-bench of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha on Wednesday gave a deadline to the CBI to complete its probe against Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Aparupa Poddar

Bengal panchayat polls: Plea in Calcutta HC over violence during nomination

NHRC had taken suo motu cognisance of the reports of violence during the nomination phase with a Congress worker being shot dead at Khargram in Murshidabad district on Friday

Option for arbitration in agreement not binding on parties: HC observation

Court ruling relates to dispute between two parties over non-payment of invoices for operation and maintenance

Municipalities' recruitment case: HC expresses ire over slow pace of probe

The Calcutta High Court on Friday expressed ire over the slow pace of investigation by central agencies in the multi-crore municipalities' recruitment case in West Bengal

Calcutta HC seeks report from govt over non-release of MGNREGA funds to WB

HC sought report from Central govt over non-release of funds allotted to the West Bengal government under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act

Teachers' recruitment case: Custody of Kuntal Ghosh extended by 14 days

On May 19, when the CBI submitted a charge sheet in the case, the court sought certain explanations, which the central agency was supposed to submit to the court on Friday

SC stays imposition of Rs 25 lakh on Abhishek Banerjee by Calcutta HC

From staying the imposition of Rs 25 lakh on TMC's Abhishek Banerjee to granting an interim bail to Satyendar Jain on medical grounds, here are important cases that the apex court heard today

Calcutta HC refuses stay on termination of 36,000 primary teachers

If any candidate among these 36,000 completes the requisite training in the interim period, he/she will be eligible for appearing for examinations in the next recruitment phase

Calcutta HC orders NIA probe into violence in Shibpur during Ram Navami

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday ordered an NIA investigation into the violence in Shibpur in Howrah district during Ram Navami celebrations. Hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, a division bench presided by Acting Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam directed for the transfer of investigation to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from the West Bengal Police. In the PIL, Adhikari sought an NIA probe into the violence, during which it was alleged that bombs exploded. The court directed the state police to transfer all records and CCTV footage relating to the matter to the central government within two weeks. The Centre was directed to send the documents to the NIA thereafter.

SC stays order asking WB not to file FIRs against ED officers probing scam

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Calcutta High Court's April 13 order directing the West Bengal police not to lodge any FIR against CBI and Enforcement Directorate officers probing the school jobs-for-bribes scam. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwalam, which decided to hear the plea on April 24, also stayed the direction of a single judge bench of the high court that TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee and Kuntal Ghosh, an accused in the case, can be questioned by the ED and the CBI and such "interrogation should be made soon." "The petition was in the mentioning list. Dr A M Singhvi has adverted to the contents of the order and the directions passed by which the ED and CBI have been directed to file a report with respect to a probe in connection with a public speech by Abhishek Banerjee. List on April 24, 2023. Till the next date of listing, there shall be stay on all action against petitioner in relation to the directions ...

SC sets aside Calcutta HC order of CBI probe in attack on Pramanik's convoy

The Supreme Court Thursday set aside a Calcutta High Court order for a CBI probe in the alleged attack on Union Minister Nisith Pramanik's convoy during a visit to his constituency in West Bengal in February this year and directed fresh adjudication of the PIL filed by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on the issue. The top court also rejected the vehement submissions of Adhikari, the leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, for a status quo on the probe into the incident by the state police which, otherwise, will proceed with a lightening speed in view of the fact that they have not given the case files to the CBI as directed by the high court. No we cannot pass such an order, a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices P S Narasimha and J P Pardiwala said. The top court referred to the fresh affidavit filed by the West Bengal police before it with regard to the actions taken so far in the incident and set aside the high court judgement ordering a CBI prob

DA crisis: Calcutta HC directs govt to hold talks with agitating employees

The state government should take some decision to resolve the complications arising of the dearness allowance payments, court said

Calcutta HC seeks report from Bengal govt over Ram Navami clashes

While criticising the role of the police on this count, the bench also alerted the administration to be careful so that such incidents are not repeated

Police not sharing docs about attack on Pramanik's convoy, CBI to HC

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday complained to the Calcutta High Court about the West Bengal Police's "non-cooperation"