High Court Grants Temporary Protection to TMC Candidate Amid Repoll Controversy

The Calcutta High Court granted protection from coercive police action to TMC candidate Jahangir Khan until May 26 amid criminal cases linked to him, while allowing him to participate in Falta Assembly repoll campaigning, barring intimidation or obstruction per the Election Commission's guidelines.

The Calcutta High Court on Monday granted temporary protection to Jahangir Khan, TMC's candidate for the Falta Assembly repoll, from coercive police action until May 26, amid several criminal cases filed against him. Khan's legal team, led by Kishore Dutta, sought full disclosure of FIRs and protection from any coercive measures.

The court emphasized that Khan must cooperate with investigative authorities and adhere strictly to Election Commission guidelines, prohibiting voter intimidation and obstruction. While granted the liberty to campaign ahead of the May 21 repoll, this remains contingent on adherence to the model code of conduct.

The repoll follows dismissed voting on April 29, laden with alleged irregularities. Justice Bhattacharyya noted the need to balance Khan's right to contest repolls with ongoing investigations. The government alleged Khan masterminded electoral malpractice during the original poll.