Calcutta High Court Issues Directive Ahead of West Bengal Elections
The Calcutta High Court has announced that it will not issue any orders against election officials until April 29, coinciding with the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections. This decision follows allegations against IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma regarding violations of the Model Code of Conduct. With a record voter turnout in the first phase, the upcoming elections are shaping up to be a significant contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. The court's guidance and the political landscape are crucial as the state prepares for this pivotal electoral event.
| Apr 28, 2026, 17:44 IST
Court's Stance on Election Duties
The Calcutta High Court clarified on Tuesday that it will refrain from issuing any orders against officials engaged in election duties until April 29, the date of the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections. This statement was made during a verbal plea in Justice Krishna Rao's court. An attorney requested the court to impose a ban on IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma, who has been appointed as a police supervisor in South 24 Parganas by the Election Commission of India. The lawyer alleged that Sharma was violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and urged the bench to intervene immediately. However, Justice Rao stated that no orders affecting officials involved in election-related duties would be issued before April 29. The lawyer informed the court that the formal petition process is still ongoing.
Court's Guidance on Allegations
When the lawyer further claimed that Sharma was intimidating voters, Justice Rao advised them to report any wrongdoing to the Election Commission. The lawyer responded that the election body had already been notified, but no action had been taken yet. Notably, Sharma is among the supervisors deployed by the Election Commission to oversee law and order and ensure smooth voting in the upcoming phase.
Second Phase of West Bengal Elections
On April 29, voting will take place for a total of 142 assembly seats in West Bengal. The first phase of the elections, which covered 152 assembly constituencies, recorded a remarkable voter turnout of 93.19 percent, the highest in the state's history. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. The 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections have turned into a crucial and intense contest, with the ruling party, the All India Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee, facing stiff competition from the Bharatiya Janata Party. This contest has evolved into a direct battle, with both parties exerting their full efforts to sway voters in both urban and rural areas.