‘Protect people of Bengal’: Mamata Banerjee appears as lawyer in Calcutta HC post-poll violence case
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appeared before the Calcutta High Court on Thursday in connection with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging post-poll violence in the state. The case pertains to reported incidents of arson, vandalism and attacks on political workers and party offices following the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
During the hearing, Mamata Banerjee urged the court to ensure immediate protection for citizens and said that violence and intimidation were continuing in several parts of the state. She submitted that law and order concerns were affecting ordinary people and that urgent judicial intervention was required.
Banerjee reportedly told the court that police in some areas were not acting effectively and that complaints were not being properly registered. She also alleged that incidents of violence were taking place in the presence of law enforcement personnel, raising concerns over ground-level policing.
In her submission, she said, “My humble submission is to please protect the people of Bengal,” and added that the situation required immediate attention from authorities. She also flagged issues related to ongoing threats and insecurity faced by families in affected regions.
She further stated that the violence was spreading across districts and was impacting daily life, including local markets and livelihoods. Banerjee stressed that the administration needed to act swiftly to restore normalcy and ensure safety.
Senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, who was also present during the proceedings, told the court that several Trinamool Congress party offices had been attacked and referenced earlier instances of post-poll violence in the state to highlight the severity of the situation.
The petition before the court seeks directions for protection of affected individuals and a court-monitored investigation into alleged incidents of violence across West Bengal. It also calls for accountability in cases of reported attacks on political workers.
The case comes amid political tensions in the state, with the Trinamool Congress alleging widespread violence against its workers after the election results, while opposition parties have raised counter-allegations regarding law and order concerns.
The Calcutta High Court is expected to continue hearing the matter as the petition seeks further directions on security arrangements and investigation into the reported incidents.