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The Calcutta High Court has allowed police protection to election candidates of upcoming civic polls upon payment of cost. Elections are to be held in 108 municipalities on 27th February 2022.

21 candidates contesting election in the forthcoming Municipal Election from Contai had approached a Single Bench of the high court seeking a direction to the State to extend them security cover till completion of the election process and declaration of the result.

However, police assessment found that only 7 of those petitioners require police protection, which was granted by the Single Bench, rejecting the plea of others. An appeal has been preferred against such decision. 

The candidates have contended that the Superintendent of Police had not assessed the ground situation and threat perception himself but had submitted the vague report.

Further, in terms of clause (c) of Regulations 666 of Police Regulations, Bengal, 1943 the candidates are entitled to receive police protection on payment of the cost, which they are ready to pay. 

A bench of Chief Justice Prakash Srivastava and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj allowed such prayer, stating,

"We direct that all the appellants will be extended police protection by the respondent State by providing one Armed Police Officer each subject to payment of cost by the appellants in accordance with law. While assessing the cost the authority concerned will keep in mind that the protection has been extended to for safety of the candidates in the election, therefore, the cost at the minimum will be assessed."

Shueli Panda Mishra & Ors. Vs. State of West Bengal & Ors.