EC charges in SIR: SC asks Bangladesh DGP to submit affidavit India News

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the West Bengal police chief to file a personal affidavit in response to the Election Commission’s allegations that officials of the ruling TMC are systematically, deliberately and concertedly trying to “sabotage, paralyze and frustrate” the special enhanced revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. While state counsel Menaka Guruswamy strongly refuted the allegations, their seriousness was not lost on the bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and NV Anjaria, who also asked Manoj, former chief secretary and currently principal secretary to CM Mamata Banerjee, to Pant verified whether prompt action was taken based on the EC’s complaint against state government officials working on behalf of the SIR. “We want the country to remember the laws of the country,” the bench said, alluding to the primacy of the Election Commission during elections. Referring to the January 19 order directing the DGP, Inspector General of Police and Collector to maintain law and order at all costs, the bench said: “We, therefore, direct the DGP to file a personal affidavit in response to the EC’s affidavit. We will take a final call on the powers of the EC in this regard.” Before doing so, we will give the DGP an opportunity to submit an explanation. “ Attorney General Tushar Mehta has made serious allegations in the EC affidavit detailing deliberate non-cooperation and inaction on the part of the state government, as well as obstructive stance and threats of violence taken by TMC workers against EC officials. “A strong message must be conveyed that the Constitution applies equally to all states. Constitutional office holders cannot threaten EC officials,” he said. EC lawyer DS Naidu told the court that the state government did not cooperate with it or take its advice to take action against state officials who committed illegal acts while working on behalf of the committee on behalf of the SIR. Asking Pant to verify the EC’s allegations, the SC said, “The EC is free to replace the state government officials working on behalf of the SIR but is not allowed to execute or violate the directions.” “While SIR is ongoing in 12 states, the current controversy in which the state’s ruling party is actively involved in obstructing and issuing threats to officials is limited to West Bengal,” the EC said in its affidavit. “Materials on record reveal that deliberate and systematic attempts are being made to derail, paralyze and frustrate the SIR in West Bengal with proper planning and concerted actions… Unfortunately, this alliance is not limited to fringe elements. These actions reveal that all key actors in the country, including the government, certain elected representatives of the ruling party and party workers, are complicit. Every trick in the arsenal is used to ensure that the SIR process is either blocked or thwarted by fair or unfair means,” it said.