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A Justice DY Chandrachud-led bench of the Supreme Court is expected to hear tomorrow, a plea filed by All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) seeking a direction to the authorities in the state of Tripura to discharge their constitutional and statutory duty of ensuring the maintenance of security and safety before the upcoming Municipal elections.

Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayan today said that the local body election is on 25th November and the court agreed to take it up tomorrow.

The petitioner party has cited the “sustained campaign of violence by mobs of hooligans against the leaders, contestants and members of AITC with an aim to thwart them from campaigning for the upcoming elections which are due to be held on November 25, 2021”.

The plea further cites various instances of violence starting from August where their members were attacked. It also outlines the details of FIRs registered and whether any action was taken with respect to the same or not.

It is the case of the petitioners that on account of the continuous assaults by a mass of criminal elements being perpetrated in the State, they are finding it extremely difficult to carry on with their campaign.

"Cars and other vehicles of the Petitioners and their supporters are being damaged by the goons and hooligans. As of now, at least 30 cars have been damaged, Petitioner no.1’s workers have been beaten and their properties as well as party's offices have been  vandalized", avers the petition.

Furthermore, the plea alleges that such regular assaults are only possible because of the deliberate failure on the part of the police to take timely action at the behest of political opponents who are right now a part of the Government.

AITC had also approached the Tripura High Court but on account of Court holidays, the matter is to be taken up tomorrow. In this regard, the petitioners submit,

"In the meanwhile, continuous and unabated acts of oppression are being undertaken by the political opponents. It is submitted that each day is crucial in elections of the present kind. The loss of each day impairs the process of the election and impacts the conduct of free and fair elections. When the members of the public fear openly coming out in support of whichever party that they support, it is a loss for democracy and the ultimate sufferers are the peoples themselves."

Accordingly, it is sought that security be provided to the members of the Petitioner.

It is further sought that a neutral and fair SIT, headed by a retired judge be constituted so that free and fair investigation could be carried out in relation to acts of vandalism and hooliganism targeted against the Petitioners.

AITC also prays that the authorities be directed to take immediate action on the complaints filed by persons who are victims of criminal assaults, intimidations and other criminal activity in the run up to the election process.

A direction asking the respondent authorities to restrain from using their power in an arbitrary and illegal manner so as to allow the petitioner to continue with the campaign in free and fair manner, is also prayed for.