The legal battle over the Bhabanipur assembly constituency election has entered sharply contested new territory, with the Calcutta High Court stepping in on Tuesday to issue a significant preservation order. Taking TMC's petition seriously, the court directed that all CCTV footage from the counting hall and its surroundings, along with VVPAT slips and EVMs, be fully secured and kept intact. With all respondents now given four weeks to file their replies, observers say this case has the potential to trigger a major political and legal storm in Bengal.
Between 44,000 and 55,000 Voters Illegally Removed, Claims TMC
Speaking to reporters outside the Calcutta High Court after the hearing, senior TMC MP and advocate Kalyan Banerjee laid out a detailed account of the alleged irregularities during the Bhabanipur election. He claimed that anywhere between 44,000 and 55,000 voters had their names illegally deleted from the electoral rolls in the Bhabanipur assembly constituency, and argued that this manipulation directly caused Mamata Banerjee to lose the seat by 15,000 votes. Banerjee also placed on record a full list of the officials who were involved in conducting the election at the time, including details of where each of them is currently posted.
Quid Pro Quo Charges Levelled Against Senior Officials
TMC has made a direct accusation of quid pro quo between the then-election officials and the state administration. Kalyan Banerjee named three senior officials and raised pointed questions about the promotions and postings they received in the aftermath of the election. Central to his argument was Manoj Agarwal, who served as Chief Electoral Officer at the time. According to Banerjee, Agarwal was appointed Chief Secretary almost immediately after the election concluded, and for a period he even held both positions simultaneously. The fact that an official under whose watch thousands of voter names were struck off the rolls and multiple complaints were registered was elevated to one of the state's highest administrative posts right after the Chief Minister's swearing-in, Banerjee argued, amounts to a clear case of reward for services rendered. He further noted that another official who served as Special Observer at the time when 44,000 voter names were removed is today working as a special advisor to the Chief Minister.
Court Firmly Orders CCTV, VVPAT and EVM Preservation
The High Court judge treated TMC's arguments, and the allegations of assault and violence inside the counting hall, with considerable seriousness and adopted a firm position. The court ordered that all CCTV camera footage covering the counting hall and the area around it, together with VVPAT slips and EVMs from the constituency, must be kept fully intact and protected from any tampering or destruction. Concerned officials and all opposing parties have been directed to submit their replies within four weeks.
Kalyan Banerjee told reporters: "We informed the court that the physical assault and misconduct directed at our people inside the counting hall can be clearly established through CCTV footage. The court has accepted this demand."
Next Hearing in 12 Days, Outcome Could Be Far-Reaching
The Calcutta High Court has fixed the next date in this matter for 12 days from Tuesday's hearing. Legal experts note that if the affidavits due within four weeks and an examination of the CCTV footage surface any procedural lapses or evidence of irregularity, the entire election result from Bhabanipur could face serious legal scrutiny.
The party in power has dismissed the litigation as an expression of TMC's frustration, while TMC insists the case is fundamentally about protecting the integrity of democracy and ensuring a fair electoral process. With the Calcutta High Court's order now firmly on the record, the Election Commission and the named officials face a clear deadline to present their side before the court within the stipulated timeframe.
