Shampa Sutradhar v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

22.11.2023 WPA 26153 of 2023 Shampa Sutradhar -vsState of West Bengal & ors..

Mr. Ranojoy Chatterjee Mr. Tamal Singha Roy ...for the petitioner Mr. Suman Ghosh Ms. Munmun Tewary ....for the State Affidavit of service filed on behalf of the petitioner is ssi Ct 14 taken on record.

Report filed on behalf of the State is also taken on record.

Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner submits as follows. The petitioner is a supporter of the opposition political party in the State. That is why the private respondents who are the miscreants belonging to the ruling political dispensation started to threaten, intimidate and torture the petitioner and her family members. The petitioner and her family members were forced to flee from their residence. By an order dated 28.03.2023 passed by this Court in WPA 22976 of 2022, the police administration was directed to escort the petitioner and her family members back to their residence. They are asked to keep a regular vigil and explore the possibility of posting of police picket. A police picket was posted for some time. Recently the same has been withdrawn. This has encouraged the local

miscreants including the private respondents to again threaten and intimidate the petitioner and her family members.

Learned counsel for the State relies on the report and submits as follows. As per the order passed by this Court, the petitioner and her family members were escorted back to their residence. A police picket was posted for nearly four months. Help was rendered to the petitioner to mend their broken house. Even, they arranged for supplying household utensils. However, at present there does not appear to be any apprehension of repeat of the alleged incidents. The police are keeping a close watch on the developments in the locality. The representation given in this regard by the petitioner is quite vague.

It is an admitted position that there were some atrocities done on the petitioner and the family members. Pursuant to an order passed by this Court, the police had to escort the petitioner and the family members back to their residence and even provide them with essential items. Such acts on the part of the police administration are quite commendable.

However, the apprehension of the petitioner that such incidents may be repeated because the police picket now has been withdrawn cannot be discarded outright.

Let the police authorities restore the police picket outside the residence of the petitioner for a period of two more months from this date.

Even otherwise, the police shall keep a sharp vigil at the locale and ensure that no breach of peace takes place. 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. (Jay Sengupta, J.)