Calcutta High Court Orders Central Forces Deployment in Murshidabad Amid Violent Protests Against Waqf Act [Read Order]

Kolkata: Amid escalating communal tensions, the Calcutta High Court has ordered the deployment of Central Armed Forces in Murshidabad district, West Bengal, to restore law and order.

The court of Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury addressed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and advocate Tarun Jyoti Tewari.

Waqf Bill Protests Turn Violent in West Bengal; Calcutta HC Steps In

The petitioners argued that, in view of the escalating violence at Jangipur and Dhuliyan between two communities, as well as other parts of West Bengal, the deployment of Central Police Forces was imperative for restoring law and order and ensuring communal harmony. This was particularly important given that the epicenter of disturbance was a border district, with violence targeting a particular community during protests against the Waqf Bill. However, the State contended that this was a politically motivated petition, as adequate steps had been taken by the administration to secure citizens’ lives and property, with 138 arrests made so far. Six companies of the BSF had already been deployed at the District Magistrate’s request, working under the local police’s direction, and the Chief Minister had made a public appeal for peace and harmony.

Central Forces Deployed in Murshidabad to Control Communal Clashes

The court noted, “It is undeniable that there have been frequent instances of violence between communities in different parts of the State of West Bengal, and the disquieting situation prevailing until today cannot be ignored.”

Expressing concern about the adequacy of state measures, the court observed, “Although we have noted the State’s stand that it is making an endeavor to ensure peaceful co-existence of different communities, the measures so far taken do not appear to be adequate. The situation is grave and volatile.”

The court highlighted its constitutional duty, stating, “Constitutional Courts cannot be mute spectators and embroil themselves in technical defenses when the safety and security of the people are in danger. The deployment of Central Armed Forces earlier could have de-escalated the situation, as it appears adequate measures have not been taken in time.”

In its directive, the court ordered, “We direct the deployment of Central Armed Forces in the district of Murshidabad, who shall operate in the district in cooperation with the civil administration so that the situation that has necessitated the deployment of the armed forces is effectively dealt with and normalcy is restored.”

The court further stipulated that the deployment should not be limited to Murshidabad but should extend to other affected districts as necessary, noting that incidents had also been reported in “Amtala (South 24 Parganas), North 24 Parganas, Champdani (Hooghly), Dhuliyan, and Jangipur (Murshidabad), and even parts of Kolkata.”

The interim arrangement will continue until April 17, 2025, with the state directed to file a comprehensive report on steps taken pursuant to the court’s order.

Mr. Soumya Majumder, Mr. Billwadal Bhattacharyya, Senior Advocates, Mr. Kaustav Bagchi, Mr. Anish Kr. Mukherjee, and Mr. Suryaneel Das, Advocates, appeared for the petitioners, while Mr. Kalyan Bandyopadhyay, Senior Advocate, Mr. Anirban Ray, Ld. GP, Mr. Debangshu Dinda, and Mr. Arka Kumar Nag, Advocates, appeared for the State of West Bengal. Mr. Nilanjan Bhattacharjee and Mr. Siddhartha Lahiri, Advocates, appeared for the Union of India.

Case Title: Sri Suvendu Adhikari & Anr. Vs. The State of West Bengal & Ors.

[Read Order]