Susama Khatua And ANR v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.
25.04.2024 WPA 18126 of 2023 Susama Khatua and another.
-vs- The State of W. B. & ors.
Ms. Anakika Pandey ..for the petitioners Mr. Amitesh Banerjee Ms. Ipsita Banerjee Mr. Tarak Karan ..for the State Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners ssi Ct 14 submits as follows. The petitioners are the victims of postpoll violence in the State of West Bengal following the Assembly Elections of 2021. They were subjected to serious violence and torture by the members of the ruling political dispensation. Their houses and shops were burnt and they were forcibly evicted from their village. The petitioners want to return back to their residence and land.
Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the State denies the allegations as regards post poll violence and submits that without prejudice, if the petitioners wants to return to their respective homes and are in fear of some possible atrocities, they shall be at liberty to approach the local police station who shall render necessary assistance for their return.
At this stage, upon instructions, learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners would be able to
return to their residence on 04.05.2024 at 11 AM. Let the petitioners report to the Mohanpur Police Station, Paschim Medinipur on 04.05.2024 at 11 AM. The Officer in Charge of the police station shall be ready with adequate armed police personnel so that they can escort the petitioners back to their residence. The entry to the residence shall be videographed.
Even otherwise, the police shall keep a sharp vigil at the locale and ensure that no harm ensues to the petitioners. The surveillance shall include frequent visits by police patrol.
In the event, any untoward incident occurs or is apprehended by the petitioners, they shall be at liberty to approach the local police station. The Officer shall then act in accordance with law.
With these observations, the writ petition is disposed of.
Urgent photostat certified copy of this order be supplied to the parties, if applied for, as early as possible. Parties shall act on a server copy downloaded from the official website of this Court.
(Jay Sengupta, J.)