Anita Saha And ORS. v. Additional Chief Secretary And ORS.

06.05.2025 Item No AD 7 Saswata WPA 9235 of 2025 Anita Saha & Anr.

versus Additional Chief Secretary & Ors.

Mr. Subhajit Panja Ms. Sibangi Chattopadhyay Ms. Mumtaj Begum ...For the petitioners Mr. Ankit Sureka Mr. Biplab Das Mr. Partha Sarathi Pal ...For the respondent nos. 2 to 5 Mr. P.K.Roy Mr. J. Roy ...For the respondent nos. 3 & 4 Mr. Srijan Nayak Ms. Rituparna Maitra ...For the Cooperative Election Commission 1.

Mr. Nayak, learned advocate appearing for the Cooperative Election Commission submits that the petitioners' grievance has been addressed by the Election Commission and an award dated 5th May 2025 has been passed by the Secretary, Cooperative Election Commission, West Bengal.

2.

He submits that the Election Commission has thought it fit to appoint more than one officer not below the rank of Cooperative Development Officer as Assistant Returning Officers for the purpose of conducting election of Burma Repatriate Subhasgram Housing Co-operative Society Ltd. (in short the "said Society") by re-scheduling the election process from the stage of publication of draft voters list. It is submitted that having regard to the aforesaid, at least 3 months' time is necessary to conclude the election process.

3.

Having regard to the submissions made in Court today and since a decision has already been taken by the Cooperative Election Commission, West Bengal of holding election from the stage of preparation of voters list, I am of the view that the Cooperative Election Commission may proceed to forthwith take steps and conclude election process in terms of its award not later than 31st July 2025.

4.

The Superintendent of Police, Baruipur, South 24 Parganas and the Officer-in-charge of Baruipur Police Station shall provide all necessary support and assistance to the

Assistant Returning Officers for the purpose of concluding the election process in a peaceful manner.

5.

The Superintendent of Police, Baruipur, South 24 Parganas shall also render all assistance for protecting the society's property as and when required by the Assistant Returning Officers.

6.

With the above directions and observations, the writ petition is disposed of.

7.

All parties shall act on the basis of the server copy of this order duly downloaded from this Court's official website. (Raja Basu Chowdhury, J.)