Calcutta High Court Orders West Bengal to Transfer Border Land to BSF by March 31

Law Notify : In a key ruling linked to national security, the Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal government to hand over land in nine border districts to the Border Security Force by March 31 for the installation of barbed wire fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen made it clear that land already acquired and funded by the Centre must be transferred without delay. The court said procedural objections, including references to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision, would not be accepted as grounds for withholding land.

The order came while hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by retired army officer Dr Subrata Saha. He alleged that delays by the state government in transferring land had weakened border management and enabled illegal smuggling and infiltration.

During the hearing, the West Bengal government informed the court that land covering around 181 kilometres would be handed over to the BSF by the end of March. However, the bench expressed concern over the remaining stretches where transfers are still pending approval from the state cabinet.

Given the security implications, the court has asked both the Centre and the state to file affidavits clarifying whether border land can be acquired under emergency provisions. The matter will come up for its next hearing on April 2, 2026.