The Calcutta High Court has directed Suvendu Adhikari to file a response to an election petition filed by Mamata Banerjee regarding the Bhabanipore constituency result. The court has also ordered the preservation of election materials, including EVMs and VVPAT units. The presiding judge made a disclosure regarding his family's political background, which was noted by both parties.
What Happened
The Calcutta High Court has initiated formal proceedings regarding an election petition filed by Mamata Banerjee, challenging the electoral victory of Suvendu Adhikari in the Bhabanipore Assembly constituency. After reviewing the petition, the court determined that it complied with the necessary requirements under the Representation of People Act. Consequently, the court has directed the respondents to file their affidavits in opposition within four weeks, with a window for replies allowed in the following four weeks.
Preservation of Election Records
To ensure the integrity of the evidence, the court has issued an order for the preservation of all election-related materials used during the Bhabanipore constituency polling and counting process. This mandate includes the securing of CCTV footage from counting centers, as well as the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines. These items will remain preserved until further notice to assist in the judicial review of the election results.
Judicial Transparency and Disclosure
Presiding Judge Justice Gaurang Kanth made a formal disclosure before commencing the hearing. He stated that his elder brother holds the position of national spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He provided this information to the parties involved to maintain transparency and to prevent any future conflict of interest. Senior Advocate Kalyan Bandyopadhyay, representing the petitioner, confirmed that his client had full confidence in the court and raised no objection to Justice Kanth presiding over the matter.
Arguments Regarding Irregularities
The legal counsel for Mamata Banerjee presented several contentions during the proceedings. The petitioner has alleged that standard counting procedures were not followed during the vote tally. Furthermore, the petition raised concerns regarding the role and previous postings of the returning officer assigned to the Bhabanipore constituency, alleging potential bias. The court has scheduled the matter for further proceedings in twelve weeks, allowing sufficient time for the filing of responses.