Supreme Court Rejects Urgent Plea Seeking Continued Central Forces In West Bengal Over Post-Poll Violence Apprehensions

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to consider a plea seeking the continuance of central forces in West Bengal after the conclusion of the assembly polls to curb post-election violence.

Senior Advocate VV Giri mentioned the plea before a CJI Surya Kant led bench. Giri, appearing for a party, contended that the central forces should be allowed to remain in the state, keeping in mind the large-scale post-poll violence witnessed in the state in 2021.

In response, Justice Joymalya Bagchi said let the state be run by political executive and not the court.

Giri also sought a direction for setting up a monitoring committee, preferably headed by a former Supreme Court judge, to oversee the deployment of adequate force to prevent violence. The bench asked the counsel to move before the high court.

The bench in turn asked him to approach the High Court for relief.

Senior advocate D S Naidu, appearing for the Election Commission of India told the bench, "Our rule ceases once the counting is done".

However, the bench said, "The political executive of the state will decide. We expect that they will understand that law and order is their subject".

Court also noted that the main writ petition filed on the issue is listed on May 11.

Recently, the Supreme Court had applauded the record percentage of voting in the first phase of West Bengal assembly elections as a CJI Surya Kant led bench was hearing the petitions pertaining to the West Bengal SIR which was informed that the state witnessed 92% voting. "As a citizen of India, I was very happy to see the voting percentage...when people exercise their right to vote, it strengthens the democracy..," the CJI had said.

Adding to this, Justice Joymalya Bagchi had said, "There have been no incidents of violence also". Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, present before the bench said, "92 per cent voting is historical. It was a peaceful election leaving apart a few incidents."

On April 2, after serious incidents occurred in Malda where judicial officers were allegedly attacked and held hostage during electoral roll revision work, the Chief Justice of India had called West Bengal a highly polarized state. "Unfortunately in West Bengal each one speaks political language and this is the most polarized state. You are forcing us to make observations. Do you think we are not aware of who the miscreants are..", CJI Surya Kant noted today while issuing directions after the incidents of violence occurred in West Bengal.

The Supreme Court had expressed concern over the safety of officials and the rising political tensions in the state, indicating that such incidents could undermine the rule of law. Slamming the state government over their non-responsive attitude, the CJI had said, "I don't want to politicize it. But we got reports since 2 am. At 5 pm they gheraoed the officers and till 11 pm there was no one".

Bench: CJI Kant and Justice Bagchi

Mentioning Date: May 4, 2026