Convoy Attack Case | 'No Coercive Steps' Against LoP Suvendu Adhikari Till Feb 19: State Gives Assurance In Calcutta High Court

In a reprieve for West Bengal's Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Suvendu Adhikari, the State Government today assured the Calcutta High Court that no coercive action will be taken against the BJP leader until the next scheduled hearing on his plea on February 19, 2026.Adhikari approached the HC last week seeking protection against alleged coercive actions by the police in connection with a criminal case registered against him at Chandrakona Police Station.In his petition, he claimed that on January 10, 2026, his convoy was attacked, and kerosene was poured on his vehicle, and an attempt was made to set it on fire.He claimed that despite police officials being present at the time of the incident, they took no preventive measures to rescue him and that he was saved only because of the swift action of his personal security staff. Today, the state government sought time to argue the matter and submitted before a bench of Justice Suvra Ghosh that, till today, no action has been taken and that, till the next date of hearing, no coercive action will be taken.Taking the submission on record and orally remarking that Adhikari's apprehensions should also be considered, the bench posted the matter for a further hearing on February 19.For context, before the state's submission was recorded, Adhikari's counsel argued that his client, who is the Leader of the Opposition, faced a barrage of approximately 47 to 48 FIRs since defecting to the BJP in December 2020 and defeating the incumbent Chief Minister in May 2021. He also argued that this legal battle is not a flash in the pan but a continuation of systemic harassment that began in 2021.Regarding the convoy attack, he submitted that the attack occurred immediately after Adhikari served a legal notice on the CM on January 9th for making false allegations. He argued that on January 10th at 7:30 pm, miscreants surrounded Adhikari's car and attempted to pour kerosene on it, yet the police registered a "cross-FIR" against Adhikari. He finally submitted that, given this history, there should be no coercive action taken against the petitioner. Read more about Adhikari's plea here : Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari Approaches Calcutta High Court Over Convoy Attack, Seeks Protection From Arrest In Cross-FIR

Convoy Attack Case | 'No Coercive Steps' Against LoP Suvendu Adhikari Till Feb 19: State Gives Assurance In Calcutta High Court

Sparsh Upadhyay

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