Md. Jasimuddin v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

SL 97 31.07.2023 AGM In The High Court At Calcutta Constitutional Writ Jurisdiction Appellate Side W.P.A 17352 of 2023 Md. Jasimuddin -versus The State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Saikat Chatterjee Mrs. Salma Sultana Saha Mr. Puranjan Pal ...For the Petitioner.

Mr. Tarun Kumar Chatterjee Mr. Sujit Gupta Mr. Sayan Datta Mr. Soumen Chatterjee ...For the Election Commissioenr.

The petitioner contested the Panchayat General Elections, 2023.

Allegation is that nearly 400 ballot papers stood cancelled on account of not affixing the distinguishing rubber seal on the reverse of the ballot papers. Objection was lodged before the Panchayat Returning Officer on 11th July, 2023. The same is yet to be disposed of.

Without going into the merits of the allegations of the petitioners, as it appears that a representation is pending consideration before the State Election Commission, accordingly, the instant writ petition is disposed of by directing Panchayat Returning Officer to consider and dispose of the representation filed by the petitioner in accordance with law at the earliest but

positively within a period of ten days from the date of communication of this order.

A reasoned order shall be passed and communicated to the petitioners immediately thereafter.

The CCTV/Video footages and the ballot papers in respect of the concerned constituency shall be properly preserved and be produced before the Court as and when directed.

Learned advocate for the petitioners is directed to forward a copy of the representation dated 11th July, 2023 seeking consideration along with all supporting documents to the aforesaid respondent at the time of communicating the order of the Court.

The writ petition stands disposed of.

Urgent certified photocopy of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the parties expeditiously on compliance of usual legal formalities.

( Amrita Sinha, J.)