Agartala: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed Tripura police to ensure that the party is prevented from exercising their rights in accordance with law for political campaigning in a peaceful manner after hearing the petition filed by Trinamool Congress Rajyasabha MP Sushmita Dev.
A bench comprising Justices D Y Chandrachud, Surya Kant and Vikram Nathin directed Tripurapolice to consider the nature of threats that have been averred in the petition and to undertake appropriate arrangements to ensure maintenance of law and order.
The Court also called for an affidavit by the Home Secretary of Tripura explaining the steps taken in pursuance to the present order to ensure the elections to urban local bodies in Tripura shall remain free and fair.
The Court directed the DGP and the Home Secretary to file a joint report of compliance before the next hearing, fixed after two weeks.
The order stated, “We expect that necessary arrangements will be made by the DGP along with law enforcement machinery of the state. We are of the view that since the election process has commenced, it is the responsibility of the respondents to ensure that no party is prevented from pursuing its rights in accordance with law for political campaigning in a peaceful manner.”
The bench passed an ad-interim order. With regards to plea for individual security, the concerned Superintendent of Police shall take decision having regard to threat perception with regards to each case and area and take appropriate action with respect to security.
According to the report, the Court noted in the order that the petitioners have tabulated in synopsis incidents of violence that have allegedly taken place against them.
The petition highlighted the incident of violence which took place on October 22, 2021, when a team of TMC leaders and workers were in the midst of public contact proceedings. Despite registering FIR, no arrests have been made.
As a consequence, it was submitted that though the election process has commenced, Trinamool Congress members have been prevented from the right of the electoral campaign as a result of actual
and threatened violence.
The Court also took note of a document produced by the petitioners which declined thempermission to hold a meeting at Agartala city.
