Supreme Court Declines Urgent Hearing on Plea for Central Forces in West Bengal

Supreme Court of India on Monday declined to grant an urgent hearing on a petition seeking the continued deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in West Bengal to prevent possible post-election violence. The court observed that there was no immediate urgency in the matter that warranted urgent intervention. The petition had urged the court to ensure that central forces remain deployed in the state even after the counting of votes, in order to avoid a repeat of the violence reported after the 2021 elections. It also sought the formation of a high-level committee to monitor the law and order situation in the state. During the proceedings, the court made it clear that the situation did not call for immediate action at this stage. The observation indicates that the judiciary does not see any pressing emergency requiring urgent judicial intervention. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India has already taken precautionary steps by deciding to retain around 700 companies of central forces—approximately 70,000 personnel—in West Bengal even after the vote counting process. According to the Commission, these personnel will remain deployed in sensitive areas of the state until further orders. Of these, nearly 20,000 जवान have been specifically assigned to guard strong rooms and counting centres. Recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also stated that central forces could remain stationed in the state for up to 60 days after the elections to maintain peace and order. In a related development, the Supreme Court had earlier dismissed a petition filed by Trinamool Congress (TMC) challenging the deployment of central personnel at counting centres, stating that such decisions fall within the jurisdiction of the Election Commission. The court’s latest stance reinforces its confidence in the arrangements made by the poll body to ensure security in the state.