HC rejects Bengal govt's plea, NHRC to probe post-poll violence

The Calcutta High Court on Monday dismissed the TMC government's plea seeking a recall of a judgment by a five-judge bench that directed the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to examine all cases of alleged human rights violations during post-poll violence in the state. A five-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal, dismissed the plea of the TMC government for recalling the order passed on June 18. The order came in respect of a bunch of petitions alleging displacement of people from their residences, physical assault, destruction of property and ransacking of places of business owing to post-poll violence in the state.

The state government had told the court that the order had been passed without giving the state an opportunity to file its response in connection with the State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) member secretary's report.The report submitted by the SLSA member secretary had stated that at least 3,243 persons had suffered from the post-poll violence till June 10. The government then asked the court that the findings in the order of June 18 "against the state of West Bengal and/or its officers may be expunged" and asked for a stay of operations given in the order till the disposal of the PILs.

The HC directed the chairperson of the NHRC to form a panel to examine all cases of alleged human rights violations and submit a comprehensive report before it about the present situation after "may be by visiting the affected areas".  Monday's High Court decision is being seen as a big blow to the ruling TMC government.