Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari Moves Calcutta High Court Alleging Targeted Attacks On Opposition Leaders, Police Complicity

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, on Thursday (January 29) moved an application before the Calcutta High Court, alleging targeted and recurring acts of violence on opposition leaders. The application has been moved in a writ petition originally filed in October 2025, claiming that despite prior notification to the Police and adherence to prescribed protocols, violent attacks have been carried out upon the convoys and programmes of opposition leaders. The division bench of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen has listed the matter for Monday, February 02.During today's hearing, the counsel appearing for Adhikari claimed that police officials, under the guise of 'route lining'— a security arrangement provided during the movement of political personalities, were allegedly orchestrating the attacks. The counsel claimed that sensitive movement details were being passed on, leading to gatherings of antisocial elements who subsequently attacked convoys of opposition leaders. Seeking interim relief, the petitioner prayed for directions to ensure that a minimum distance of 200 meters is maintained between police personnel and the convoy of opposition leaders. The counsel further submitted that several such incidents had already occurred and that this was a recurring issue. The counsel argued, 'We have cited several instances and incidents and the petitions which have been already filed. This is a recurring thing. Even after the filing of this petition, there are been attacks'.During the hearing, the bench asked whether the interim relief sought included periodic reports from the authorities. The counsel responded in the affirmative, stating that both periodic reports and an interim order were being sought. It was also clarified that the application was related to the incident of January 10, 2026, when Adhikari's convoy was attacked. He claimed that the attackers poured kerosene on his vehicle and attempted to set it on fire.Additionally, the petitioner sought an interim direction requiring the police to act upon prior intimation given by opposition public representatives regarding political programmes and to ensure effective coordination by local police. The counsel for the State, however, requested that the matter be taken up on another day. Case Title: SUVENDU ADHIKARI AND ANR VS STATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS. [WPA(P)/461/2025]

Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari Moves Calcutta High Court Alleging Targeted Attacks On Opposition Leaders, Police Complicity

Jayanti Pahwa

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