Kolkata, Apr 23 (UNI) Calcutta High Court on Tuesday said it may appeal to the Election Commission of India (ECI) for deferment of the Baharampur Lok Sabha poll in Murshidabad district since the area witnessed violence on April 17, the Ram Navami festival day, court sources said.
The observation by a bench, headed by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam, happened during a hearing seeking a probe either by the NIA or CBI into the violence that took place in Murshidabad on April 17 during a Ram Navami procession, the sources confirmed.
"If the people cannot have peace and harmony for at least eight hours there, then we will appeal to the ECI for deferment of the parliamentary election in the district.
That's the only way, " the bench observed during the primary hearing on the petition.
"Despite the Model Code of Conduct being in place, if two sets of people are fighting like this, they don't deserve any elected representatives," the bench said.
The bench has expressed its displeasure over the clashes between two communities in Murshidabad district during the Ram Navami celebrations and is considering recommending to the ECI for deferment of Lok Sabha election in Baharampur.
The bench was hearing two PILs seeking CBI and NIA probe into the clashes on April 13 and 17 in Baharampur Lok Sabha constituency in Murshidabad.
The court also noted that the clashes happened when the MCC was in force and if an election takes place, it may cause another trouble.
The bench also expressed concern over maintaining peace both by the state police and the Central forces.
The high court double bench, also comprising Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, ordered the West Bengal government to file a report on the next hearing date in the form of an affidavit on April 26.
Election for Baharampur Lok Sabha seat is slated in fourth phase of polling on May 13, 2024.
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