Calcutta High Court to Hear PIL Alleging Post-Election Violence, Illegal Demolitions Across West Bengal on May 12

May 9, 2026 : The Calcutta High Court is scheduled to hear on May 12 a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking urgent judicial intervention against alleged incidents of post-election violence, vandalism and unlawful demolition of properties across West Bengal following the recently concluded Assembly elections.

The matter is listed before a Bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen.

The PIL has been filed by 22-year-old postgraduate student Rounak Mukherjee through Advocate Ritankar Das, who stated that an application would be moved for advancement of the hearing in view of the urgency of the matter.

According to the petition, there has been a sharp rise in incidents involving political violence, vandalism, destruction of public statues and demolition of private properties in various parts of the State after the declaration of election results.

The plea alleged that several shops, commercial establishments and private structures were either demolished or threatened with demolition without prior notice or adjudication by a competent statutory authority. It claimed that such actions violated principles of natural justice, due process requirements and constitutional protections relating to property and personal liberty.

Specific reference was made to alleged demolition activities in and around New Market, also known as Hogg Market, where bulldozers and heavy machinery were reportedly used in the presence of political workers. The petition stated that the incidents created panic among traders, residents and business owners in the area.

The petitioner also relied on video footage allegedly circulating in the public domain, which, according to the plea, prima facie showed acts of destruction and demolition taking place in a coercive atmosphere. It was further alleged that police personnel present at the sites failed to take preventive or remedial action to control the situation or disperse unlawful assemblies.

The PIL additionally referred to an incident dated May 5 concerning alleged vandalism of a statue of Vladimir Lenin at Jiaganj in Murshidabad district. The plea alleged that the statue was damaged by a mob using iron rods and hammers, resulting in tension in the locality.

The petition sought directions for immediate preventive measures to curb vandalism and protect private and public properties across the State. It also sought an independent inquiry into the alleged demolition incidents near New Market/Hogg Market and allegations of administrative inaction and police failure.