West Bengal Panchayat Elections: The Calcutta High Court demands a CBI investigation into claims that the returning officer tampered with documents

The State Election Commission and the State’s arguments that the investigation should be carried out by state authorities were rejected by High Court Justice Amrita Sinha, who then issued the ruling

A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into claims that nomination papers submitted by candidates of various opposition parties had been tampered with by the Returning Officer was ordered by the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday [Kashmira Begam Khan v. Secy, West Bengal Election Commission] in yet another case pertaining to the upcoming West Bengal Panchayat Elections.

The CBI was instructed by the Court to wrap up its investigation by July 5 and submit a report to the Court on July 7, which is the day before the planned panchayat elections.
“The Court thinks it appropriate to direct the CBI to conduct the investigation and file a report before this Court,” the Court stated. “For the purpose of maintaining independence and transparency in the process of investigation.”

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The State Election Commission (SEC) and the State both argued that the investigation should be handled by state authorities, but Justice Amrita Sinha rejected their arguments and issued the ruling.
“The stated claim is required to be investigated by a competent independent authority as it appears that the allegation of tampering has been presented against an official who is responsible for conducting the election in a free and fair manner… It may not be possible for the State agency to operate independently because the officer against whom the complaint is made is functioning in accordance with the instructions of the State respondents and is also in charge of organising the election in a free and fair manner, the Court stated.

The Panchayat Returning Officer, Uluberia I Block, created a video recording of the scrutiny process, and the Court further ordered that it be saved and maintained till it is again reviewed.
The decision was made in response to complaints filed by candidates who alleged that documents they presented while submitting their nomination papers had been tampered with. Similar instances have occurred numerous times, the Court was informed.