WB Polls: TMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Moves Calcutta High Court Against Criminal Cases Filed Against Him Before Falta Re-Poll

The Calcutta High Court on Monday agreed to hear a plea moved by a contesting candidate from the Falta Assembly constituency seeking disclosure of all FIRs registered against him and protection from coercive action ahead of the re-poll scheduled on May 21.

Former Advocate General and senior advocate Kishore Datta mentioned the matter before a bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharya, submitting that, Jahangir Khan, who is contesting the re-poll, was being targeted with multiple criminal cases during the election period.

“Every day new criminal cases are being slapped on him,” Datta submitted before the Bench, adding that while his client had the right to pursue legal remedies, the FIRs registered against him ought to be disclosed.

Datta further informed the Court that one case dated back to 2017 and several others had been registered in the intervening period.

When the Court asked what relief was being sought, Datta submitted: “I want the FIRs to be disclosed to me and since I am a contesting candidate I am asking for protection against coercive measures till the election is over.”

The Court then noted that the State was not represented in the matter. Datta urged the Court to permit service upon the Home Secretary, stating, “I cannot be remediless.”

The Bench initially suggested that the matter could be moved on Tuesday. However, Datta pointed out that the 48-hour canvassing restriction would come into effect and argued that immediate intervention was necessary since the re-poll in Falta is scheduled for May 21.

“No, there is a repoll to happen on 21st in Falta. I am a contesting candidate. Allow me to come back,” Datta submitted. Datta also submitted that if the Court granted interim protection, the candidate would at least be able to enter the constituency area for one day before canvassing closes.

The Court thereafter granted leave to move the matter.