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The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear a plea seeking deployment of Central Police Forces for conducting the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Election over the allegation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members being beaten up and being coerced to withdraw their candidature.

A bench of the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice AS Bopanna, and Justice Hima Kohli noted, "These are all election matters where the battle has to be fought."

Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy appearing for the petitioner(s) BJP members submitted that the state functionary must produce a comprehensive plan for the municipal elections. Guruswamy further informed the Court that a similar matter is pending before a bench led by Justice DY Chandrachud.

It is alleged that four BJP leaders including Paramita Dutta, Purnima Chakraborty, Dityata Kaur and Chandan Das were beaten up and the police refused to register their complaint.

It was submitted that in view of the post-poll violence, it is high time when the central forces need to be deployed.

The Court has agreed to look into the matter.

The plea has stated that "pursuant to finalization of the candidates by the Bhartiya Janta Party, various candidates have received threats and are being pressurised to withdraw their candidature. Some of the candidates have reported that members of their family are being threatened."

It further added, "the candidates have been receiving threats from TMC goons which have been identified by the candidates. Candidates are scared for their life and are being pressurised to withdraw their nomination."

The petitioners have also stated that the deployment of the civil forces will ensure free and fair elections. Conducting free and fair elections is inherent to the functioning of the democracy and therefore free and fair elections form part of the basic structure of this Democracy.

The plea has been filed through AOR Aditya Sharma.

Case Title: Bhartiya Janta Party Through Dr. Sukanta Majumdar Vs. West Bengal State Election Commission through the State Election Commissioner & ors.