Bengal polls: Calcutta HC cautions EC on preventive detentions

Kolkata: The Calcutta HC cautioned EC against preventive detention and arrests ahead before Wednesday's final phase of polling in Bengal, underscoring that any curbs on the fundamental right to liberty must follow due process.

Disposing of a writ petition over pre-poll detentions of Trinamool workers, a bench of Justices Arijit Banerjee and Partha Sarathi Sen said on Tuesday it expected EC to act "fairly, efficiently, impartially, without any bias, political or otherwise, and strictly in accordance with law".

HC stressed the primacy of Article 21, adding personal liberty can be curtailed only through lawful procedure.

In his petition, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said an earlier order staying EC's April 21 internal memo on preventive detentions was being flouted. He alleged random arrests of party workers and councillors and claimed police targeted supporters in CM Mamata Banerjee's Bhowanipore, where BJP's Suvendu Adhikari is her main opponent.

The high court refrained from a formal order but reiterated the expectation that EC would discharge duties in accordance with the law.
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