Calcutta High Court: The Division Bench of Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan, CJ and Arijit Banerjee, J., expressed that circulars issued by the Election Commission of India show the route map and protocol for human behaviour.
Court while addressing the matter stated that it is unable to reconcile the fact that the Election Commission of India was not able to update the Court as to what action by way of enforcement of the circulars had been obtained.
Issuance of circulars and holding of meetings by themselves do not discharge the onerous responsibility of the Election Commission of India and officers under its command in due performance of not only the statutory power and authority under Representation of People Act, 1950 and the Representation of People Act, 1951 but the confidence that the Indian polity would have on it to carry forward the mechanism of upholding the democracy by use of requisite facilities even in pandemic times like heightened challenge by COVID-19 virus and its variants.
Bench remarked that it is not satisfied with the materials on record to state that the Election Commission of India and its officers on the ground in West Bengal enforced the circulars.
“We are sure that circulars are not merely advisories to be wrapped up by the political parties or those involved in the political propaganda or even the public at large.”
Further, High Court observed that
Circulars of the Election Commission of India show the route map and the protocol for behaviour of the political parties, their workers, the people at large and responsible management by the officers including the police and other forces under the command of the Election Commission of India.
Lastly while concluding the matter, Court directed the counsel for Election Commission to return to make submission with a very short affidavit reflecting on whatever has been stated above. [Nitish Debnath v. Election Commission of India, 2021 SCC OnLine Cal 1521, decided on 22-04-2021]
Advocates before the Court:
Mr. Srijib Chakraborty, adv. Mr. Arindam Das, adv.
Mr. Dipayan Choudhury, adv. Mr. Suvradal Choudhury, adv.
Ms. Priyanka Chowdhury, adv.
… For the Election Commission of India
Mr. Y.J. Dastoor, ld. ASG Mr. Phiroze Edulji, adv. Ms. Amrita Panday, adv. Mr. Arijit Majumdar, adv.
…For the Union of India
Mr. Kishore Dutta, A.G.
Mr. Abhrathosh Majumdar, ld. AAG Mr. Sayan Sinha, adv.
… For the State
Mr. Sonal Sinha, adv.
… for the State Election Commission
