The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to deploy two additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) for the security of polling booths and the smooth conduct of voting in the municipal elections being held in Tripura today.
The bench of Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Surya Kant has directed the filing of the compliance report in the court in a petition seeking to be a party to the hearing in the contempt petition filed in the Supreme Court regarding the violence during the civic elections underway in Tripura. In the intervention petition on behalf of the the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), the party sought directions to Tripura Chief Secretary and DGP to ensure candidates, workers, and allies of the CPIM are protected from the ruling party leaders in the elections and vote freely.
Apart from this, instructions have also been given to the DGP to ensure the safety of the candidates of CPIM. Taking cognizance of the incidents happening during this time, action should be taken by registering a case.
The bench has asked the DGP to ensure that there is no violence after the elections; the same has been urged in the petition filed.
Seeking intervention in the petition filed by the Trinamool Congress, the CPIM has said the members of the opposition party are being intimidated by the members of the ruling BJP in the elections. The Trinamool also submitted, “Voting is taking place and violence is taking place there. Videos have also come to me just now.”
Justice Chandrachud asked, “How many polling booths are there?”
Gopal Sankarnarayanan said, “There are 770 polling stations.”
Justice Chandrachud said, “There is a need for security now, so we will issue directions, 2 companies of CAPF to be sent.”
“Will ask the Centre to make arrangements for it,” Justice Chandrachud added further.
Mahesh Jethmalani, appearing for the Tripura government, said,
“If any incident is happening, then you can go there for it. Why don’t you go there? Anyway, it’s about the election. State Election Commission should settle this.”
“There is a matter of security here. The court can intervene in this,” said Justice Surya Kant on Jethmalani’s contentions.
The Supreme Court also directed the SEC, DGP and Home Secretary to ensure all security arrangements including security of polling places, polling booths.
Justice Chandrachud said, “Will ensure the security of all polling booths through CAPF.”
In the absence of CCTV, instructions should be given to the SEC, DGP and Home Secretary with immediate effect to ensure complete reporting of voting to the print and electronic media. However, the matter will be heard next week. Still, if there is an emergency, the court can be approached, the bench said.