Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Sep 29: The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday quashed a case related to the West Bengal Police raid at the rented residence of then Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari at Kolaghat in East Midnapore district during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The controversy dates back to May 2024, when the state police conducted a search at Adhikari's rented residence in Kolaghat. The police had claimed that the raid was carried out as part of an operation to arrest a wanted criminal.
Adhikari, who was then the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, disputed the police's claim and alleged that the raid was intended to harass him during the Lok Sabha elections.
A case was subsequently filed before the court, with the police maintaining its original stand regarding the raid.
However, in a report submitted before the Calcutta High Court, the police stated that nothing suspicious was found during the search of Adhikari's residence. A blank seizure list was prepared and the investigation did not proceed further.
Adhikari was not present at the residence when the police conducted the raid as he was attending a political programme elsewhere. He had claimed that around 80 police personnel were involved in the operation.
The incident triggered protests by local BJP leaders and supporters, who confronted the police at the spot and exchanged heated words with the personnel.
After learning about the raid, Adhikari reached Kolaghat Police Station, where he also had an altercation with police personnel on duty. He complained that he did not find any officer at the police station when he arrived.
Adhikari further accused the police of violating prescribed protocols for raids and search operations. He also indirectly alleged that Trinamool Congress general secretary and Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee was behind the police action.
Adhikari later approached the Calcutta High Court, alleging that members of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), which was working as the Trinamool Congress' poll strategist, had accompanied the police during the raid and search operation.
After examining the matter, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday quashed the case, bringing the legal proceedings arising from the incident to an end.