The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) in all cases related to egg pelting incidents that occurred during the West Bengal panchayat elections. The court directed the state government to submit an affidavit by July 20 detailing the steps taken and the number of FIRs registered by the police in connection with these incidents.
Court's Directive on Egg Pelting FIRs
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the division bench of Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya expressed concern over the failure to register FIRs despite the Election Commission's directives. The court noted that egg pelting amounts to a criminal offense and must be investigated promptly.
The petitioner, advocate Sabyasachi Chatterjee, argued that egg pelting was used as a tool to intimidate voters and disrupt the electoral process. He cited multiple instances where candidates and voters were targeted with eggs, leading to public disorder. According to the petitioner, at least 15 such incidents were reported across districts including North 24 Parganas, Nadia, and Murshidabad.
State Government's Response
Additional Advocate General Kishore Datta, representing the state, submitted that the police had already initiated action in several cases. However, the court observed that the number of FIRs registered was insufficient compared to the reported incidents. The bench directed the state to provide a comprehensive report on July 20, including the names of officers responsible for the lapses.
"Egg pelting is not a trivial matter; it can escalate into larger violence. The police must register FIRs without delay," the court remarked. The directive comes ahead of the July 20 deadline, by which the state must file its affidavit.
Impact on Panchayat Elections
The panchayat elections in West Bengal, held in May 2026, were marred by sporadic violence and allegations of malpractice. The egg pelting incidents were seen as a form of protest or intimidation, with some candidates complaining that eggs were thrown at them during campaigns. The court's intervention aims to ensure accountability and uphold the rule of law.
Political parties have reacted differently to the order. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) maintained that it respects the court's decision, while the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left Front welcomed the move, accusing the state government of shielding perpetrators.
Legal Precedents and Next Steps
The Calcutta High Court's order aligns with previous judgments that treat election-related offenses with seriousness. The court has also directed the state to consider deploying additional security measures during future elections to prevent such incidents. The next hearing is scheduled for July 20, when the court will review the state's compliance.
According to legal experts, the failure to register FIRs could lead to contempt proceedings against officials. The court has made it clear that it will monitor the progress of investigations closely.
