Take action against any political party ransacking a govt office: HC

Kolkata: The govt office does not belong to any political party, it is public property, the Calcutta High Court said on Monday. "Any party ransacking that must be charged under appropriate sections of law," the court said. The HC was hearing a case on the ransacking of a panchayat office in Malda.Justice Tirthankar Ghosh also directed the police to conduct further investigation into the case regarding the mobbing of the Ratua-II panchayat samiti president and the ransacking of the panchayat office. Police were also asked to file a fresh report."It's a govt office, you will have to give PDPP (Prevention of Damage to Public Property). You cannot destroy govt property and leave," Justice Ghosh stated. The writ petitioner in the case was the president of the samiti. He prayed for police protection, fearing for his life. To which Justice Ghosh said: "You are a public representative. Why are you insecure?" He directed the police to keep a strong vigil so that he is "not made a victim of circumstances".The petitioner, Amiruddin, alleged that the panchayat office was surrounded by anti-social elements on Sept 8, 2023, around 7.30 pm. In the FIR, four people were named, identified as Rajesh Roy, Chhoton Roy, Dipak Barman (gram panchayat candidate of Congress), and Rupis Sk (Niddal candidate).It was claimed that local people rescued the president and informed the police. A written complaint was lodged at Pukhuria PS against the accused under IPC sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt to another person), 325 (causing grievous hurt), and 34 (multiple persons committing a criminal act).It was contended that the petitioner was again targeted by Ashraful Haque of Kububganj on Oct 16, 2023, along with others. They assembled at the panchayat office. He informed the police authorities and sought protection. He, by letter dated Nov 28, 2023, urged the police to take steps against the accused as he faced a threat.The matter was kept pending by Justice Ghosh. One month's time was given to the police to progress in the probe and file a fresh report. The matter will be heard again on Dec 17.