WB Panchayat Polls: High Court Grants Additional Time To SEC Head Rajiva Sinha To Respond To Contempt Rule

The Calcutta High Court on Friday granted additional time to West Bengal Chief Election Commissioner Rajiva Sinha, to respond to the contempt rule issued against him in October this year. 

The contempt rule was issued against Sinha and the SEC for alleged violation of Court orders pertaining to the deployment of central forces during the Panchayat polls, which led to large-scale violence and loss of life.

Sinha had appeared before the bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Uday Kumar as per the Calcutta High Court Contempt of Court Rules, 1975. His counsel Senior Advocate PS Raman requested additional time to file a comprehensive affidavit in the matter. He submitted,

"As I saw from the Rules, even though the pleadings are complete, formally the Rule has framed charges and called upon the contemnor to file a reply to the show cause. Of course, no new facts will be pleaded, it'll be the same as my counter to the contempt and reply to the IG's report which will form my defence. My suggestion is that if this can be completed during the 15-20 of December, in January we can have [the hearing.]"

Acceding to the request, the Bench extended the date for filing to 15th December 2023 and dispensed with Sinha's appearance for the time being. It noted,

"The respondent contemnor is present in person. His presence is recorded. Counsel for the respondent requests reasonable time to file a comprehensive affidavit bringing on record all facts to support their contentions. Let such affidavit be filed not later than 15.12.2023, after serving copies on the other side. Reply be filed by 5th January 2024, let the matter be listed on 8th January 2024. On that day, the Court will fix a date for the commencement of hearings. The presence of the contemnor is dispensed with with the observation that he shall be present as and when required."

The matter has been listed for hearing on the 8th of January 2024.

Case No: WPCRC/195/2023

Case: Suvendu Adhikari And Anr Vs Rajiva Sinha State Election Commissioner