KOLKATA: Former West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee appeared before the Calcutta high court on Thursday in connection with a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging post-poll violence in the state. She urged the court to protect the people of Bengal and accused the police of failing to act against attacks and intimidation.
Banerjee's Appeal to the Court
Appearing before chief justice Sujoy Pal, Banerjee said, as quoted by news website LiveLaw, "My humble submission is to please protect the people of Bengal. This is not a bulldozer state." The case pertains to allegations of attacks on political workers and party offices following the high-stakes elections that ended the Trinamool Congress's 15-year rule and brought the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to power in the state.
First Appearance as a Lawyer
Banerjee, who completed her law degree from Jogesh Chandra College of Law in 1982, also told the court, "My regard to all the judges because this is my first time appearing in the high court. As a lawyer, I am fighting this case." She alleged that violence and intimidation were continuing in several areas and sought urgent judicial intervention.
"We want immediate protection for the people. In front of police, they are capturing and looting houses and offices. I have already given pictures," Banerjee said during the proceedings. Raising concerns over law and order, she further stated, "Out of ten dead, six are Hindus. Please tell police to behave properly. They are not allowing FIRs to be lodged. In my family, 12-year-old girls are being threatened with rape."
Details of the Petition
The petition was filed by advocate Sirsanya Banerjee, son of Trinamool Congress leader and advocate Kalyan Bandopadhyay, who was also a TMC candidate from Uttarpara Assembly constituency. The petitioner alleged incidents of post-poll violence in several areas, including attacks on party offices and the displacement of workers. Senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee was also present in the courtroom.
Kalyan Banerjee told the court that "many TMC party offices were burnt" in the post-poll violence. "Take the 2021 post-poll violence case, the chief justice constituted a five-judge bench. The incidents of today are more than what happened at that time post-poll violence," Kalyan Banerjee said.
Allegations of Violence
The All India Trinamool Congress has approached the Calcutta High Court seeking judicial intervention over alleged incidents of post-poll violence across West Bengal after the BJP secured victory in the assembly elections. The matter was mentioned before chief justice Sujoy Paul. According to the plea, several incidents of arson, vandalism, and attacks targeting TMC workers and party offices were reported from different parts of the state after the election results.
The petition has sought directions for the protection of affected party workers and a proper investigation into the alleged incidents of violence. Reports of clashes and vandalism emerged from areas including Kolkata, Howrah, and several district towns, with both the BJP and the TMC trading allegations over the incidents.
Reactions from Leaders
TMC leaders have alleged that several party workers were killed in the aftermath of the election results and demanded a court-monitored investigation into the violence. TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said, "Mamata Banerjee is a leader who stays with the people and workers. Today, she is in the role of an advocate, fighting for the people."
Meanwhile, reacting to Banerjee's arrival in court, BJP MLA Sajal Ghosh said, "She can go. She has gone there because it is her right. What work does she have now?"
Election Context
The BJP scripted history in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections by winning 207 seats, ending the 15-year rule of the Trinamool Congress, which managed to secure only 80 seats. The post-election period has seen heightened tensions and allegations of violence from both sides.
