Case filed against Amit Shah in Calcutta HC over ‘provocative remarks’ ahead of Bengal polls

A petition has been filed in the Calcutta High Court against Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing him of making provocative remarks targeting a particular religious community during election campaigning in West Bengal. The court has permitted the filing of the case, with the matter likely to be heard on April 30, just days after the second phase of polling in the state.

The petitioner, lawyer Subhashis Dasgupta, alleged that Shah’s statements violated the Model Code of Conduct and had the potential to incite communal tension. According to the plea, attempts were initially made to file an FIR over the remarks, but due to a lack of cooperation from the police, the petitioner approached the court seeking legal intervention.

On Tuesday, a request for urgent hearing was placed before the bench of Justice Krishna Rao, who allowed the matter to be formally filed. The petition claims that during campaign rallies across the state, Shah made statements that were inflammatory in nature and directed at a specific religious group, raising concerns about their impact on public order during the sensitive election period.

The controversy comes amid heightened political tensions ahead of the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026, where campaigning has seen sharp exchanges between major political parties. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier criticised Shah’s remarks, calling them provocative and instructing legal action against such statements.

With polling in 142 constituencies scheduled imminently, the case has added a new legal dimension to the political contest. The upcoming hearing is expected to determine whether the allegations warrant further judicial scrutiny and potential action under election laws.