EC Mandates Immediate FIR Filing for Violence at Bengal's Special Revision Hearings
The Election Commission of India has issued a directive to district magistrates and district election officers in West Bengal, instructing them to adjourn Special Intensive Revision hearings indefinitely and lodge FIRs immediately in cases of violence at hearing venues. The EC emphasized that any delay in filing FIRs would lead to adverse inference, underscoring the urgency of the matter.
Directive Issued Following Supreme Court Order
This direction was formally issued on January 22, with West Bengal's chief electoral officer, Manoj Agarwal, directing officials to comply with the EC's instructions in alignment with the Supreme Court's order from January 19. The EC's directive states, "In case of any law and order situation at hearing venues or in any government office related to SIR, or destruction of public property, or any threat or attack on officials, DEOs must take steps for immediate filing of complaints or FIRs with local police stations, with copies sent to the superintendent of police and the CEO."
Background of Escalating Tensions
The EC's instructions come against a backdrop of increasing tensions and reported incidents of violence at SIR hearing venues across West Bengal. On January 21, the EC had already directed the state's chief secretary, the director general of police, the Kolkata Police commissioner, and all district superintendents of police and collectors to ensure no law-and-order issues arise at these venues.
Recent incidents have highlighted the severity of the situation:
- On Thursday, a hearing centre was ransacked, and an assistant electoral registration officer was assaulted in Itahar, North Dinajpur.
- On January 14, a block development officer's office was vandalized in Farakka after individuals called to the hearing alleged harassment, leading to the arrest of five people involved so far.
These events have prompted the EC to take stringent measures to maintain order and protect public property and officials during the revision process.
