Supreme Court Declines Urgent Plea for Central Forces in West Bengal Post-Polls, Says Decision Lies with Executive

May 4, 2026 : The Supreme Court of India on Monday declined to grant an urgent hearing on a petition seeking the continued deployment of central forces in West Bengal after the conclusion of elections to prevent post-poll violence.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that such decisions fall within the domain of the political executive and not the judiciary.

Senior Advocate V. Giri, appearing for one of the petitioners, urged the Court to intervene, citing instances of large-scale violence following the 2021 state elections and seeking continued presence of central forces as a preventive measure.

Counsel representing the Election Commission of India submitted that the Commission’s mandate ends once the electoral process is completed.

Refusing to accord urgent listing, the bench stated, “The political executive will decide. Let the state be run by a political executive and not by the court.”

However, the Court indicated that the matter may be taken up on May 11 along with other petitions concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. (PTI)