To ensure that panchayat election in West Bengal is held in time, Calcutta High Court on Tuesday allotted fixed timings to West Bengal government and the State Election Commission, who are contesting a legal battle over holding of the polls, for submissions.
Hearing pleas for expeditious hearing of the case for holding the elections in time by both the parties, Justice Biswanath Somadder directed that the government and the commission would get six hours each to complete their submissions.
Justice Somadder also directed the state government to file affidavit in support of its claims within Friday and the SEC to file its affidavit in reply by Tuesday next.
The tenure of the present elected panchayats would end in the first week of June. The court declined to allow BJP and Left parties to be party in the matter at this juncture as it is being contested between two constitutional bodies and kept their applications in abeyance.
The SEC had moved the HC challenging the state government's decision to hold elections on April 26 and April 30 claiming that the section 42 of West Bengal Panchayat Act, vide which the announcement had been made, was ultra vires of the Constitution.
Even as the hearing in the SEC's petition was on, the state informed the court that it had decided on new dates for the panchayat election on May five and May eight.
Hearing pleas for expeditious hearing of the case for holding the elections in time by both the parties, Justice Biswanath Somadder directed that the government and the commission would get six hours each to complete their submissions.
Justice Somadder also directed the state government to file affidavit in support of its claims within Friday and the SEC to file its affidavit in reply by Tuesday next.
The tenure of the present elected panchayats would end in the first week of June. The court declined to allow BJP and Left parties to be party in the matter at this juncture as it is being contested between two constitutional bodies and kept their applications in abeyance.
The SEC had moved the HC challenging the state government's decision to hold elections on April 26 and April 30 claiming that the section 42 of West Bengal Panchayat Act, vide which the announcement had been made, was ultra vires of the Constitution.
Even as the hearing in the SEC's petition was on, the state informed the court that it had decided on new dates for the panchayat election on May five and May eight.
You’ve hit your limit of 5 free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
SAVE 25%
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
SAVE 46%
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Subscribe
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Access to Exclusive Premium Stories Online
Over 30 behind the paywall stories daily, handpicked by our editors for subscribers
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
SAVE 25%