- Calcutta High Court backs EC transfers of officials
- Calcutta High Court dismisses PILs on bureaucrats transfer
Hyderabad, March 31: The Calcutta High Court has rejected pleas challenging the transfer of bureaucrats and police officers by the Election Commission of India in West Bengal. The court dismissed two Public Interest Litigations filed by a Trinamool Congress leader against large scale administrative changes ahead of elections.
The case was argued by Kalyan Banerjee, who appeared as counsel for the petitioner. One petition questioned the transfer of top officials such as the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director General of Police, and Police Commissioner. Meanwhile, the second petition focused on transfers at lower levels, including returning officers and inspectors of police.
A division bench comprising Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen examined the matter. The bench ruled that the Election Commission acted within its powers. It stated that such transfers are permitted when the model code of conduct is in force during elections.
However, the petitioner argued that the large scale transfers were selective. He claimed that similar actions were not taken in other poll bound states and Union Territories. Therefore, he suggested that the moves were deliberate. The court, however, did not accept this claim.
The division bench said there was no evidence to show that the Election Commission’s decisions had a negative impact on the functioning of the state machinery. It observed that administrative reshuffles during elections fall under the Commission’s authority to ensure a fair process.
Meanwhile, the ruling comes at a time when election related activities are intensifying in West Bengal. The court’s decision has upheld the Commission’s actions and cleared the way for continued administrative changes as required during the election period.
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