Calcutta HC orders deployment of central forces in Beldanga, leaves NIA probe plea to Centre

The Calcutta High Court, during a post-lunch hearing on Tuesday, directed the West Bengal government to immediately utilise the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) already deployed in Murshidabad to control the recent violence in Beldanga and ensure protection of citizens’ lives and property. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen observed that the repeated incidents in Murshidabad were “worrisome” and stressed that effective and immediate measures were necessary to prevent further unrest.

The court was hearing an interim application filed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari in a pending Public Interest Litigation seeking deployment of central forces and an NIA probe into the violence. During the pre-lunch hearing, the petitioner’s counsel claimed the district was communally sensitive and alleged that members of the Hindu community were being selectively targeted in what was described as a premeditated pattern of violence. It was argued that attacks were neither isolated nor spontaneous and showed a calculated intent, with incidents allegedly recurring on Fridays. The counsel also urged the Union government to independently act, citing regional sensitivities and political instability in neighbouring Bangladesh.

The state government opposed the plea, terming it a “political interest litigation,” and argued that peace had largely been restored. The state submitted that police action was swift, with at least 30 arrests made and criminal cases registered against four key accused. It was also claimed that no untoward incident had occurred after January 16 and that normalcy had returned to markets and public areas. The state further rejected allegations that central forces were not being properly utilised, stating that the Rapid Action Force and senior officers were already deployed on the ground.

After hearing both sides, the High Court directed the state to file an affidavit within 15 days detailing the incidents and actions taken. It ordered the Superintendent of Police and District Magistrate to ensure that the life, liberty, dignity and property of citizens are protected. The court clarified that the Union government is free to take an independent decision on invoking Section 6(5) of the NIA Act for a probe and noted that its order would not restrict deployment of additional forces if required. The matter will be heard again after affidavits are filed.