Kolkata: Urging Bengal govt’s counsel to “apply mind on which case to oppose and which not to oppose”, Calcutta High Court on Thursday remarked that due to blind opposition, “the other side of the administration will be revealed”.The HC was hearing a plea by a former Trinamool block president in Gosaba, South 24 Parganas, who was forced to flee on May 8 — four days after the election results — and now wanted to return home after obtaining bail in all 19 FIRs against him. He had sought police assistance to return home safely.“He needs to return home with police protection. Can it be objected to?” the court asked the Bengal govt counsel. “We have no objection to him returning home on his own,” the counsel replied, arguing against the plea for police assistance.“Apply your mind. Think over it. On what grounds are you opposing it? Do not oppose in this fashion, it will send a wrong message to the court,” Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya said. The court directed police to give him protection to return home.The TMC neta had moved the HC on May 8 apprehending arrest. Following the court’s intervention, he was informed by police that 15 FIRs were lodged against him. He was later informed of four additional FIRs alleging rape. “I have now been made out to be a serial rapist,” the petitioner’s counsel told the HC.The court was also informed that in all 19 cases known to him, the petitioner has either obtained bail or secured an order protecting him from arrest.The state argued that some of the cases against the neta were so heinous that the Special Task Force was involved in the probe. The state submitted that it found no reason for him to require police assistance to return home.The HC remained unconvinced. “Does anyone stay away from home out of choice?” the judge asked.The HC ordered the petitioner to inform police when he intended to return home and directed cops to assist him. The court clarified that this order would have no bearing on the ongoing investigations and that he must appear before police whenever required.
