Cal HC stays EC police observer's 'blanket direction' of action against 'troublemakers'

KOLKATA: (Apr 22) The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday stayed an order of the Election Commission's police observer, engaged in the West Bengal assembly elections, who termed several citizens as "troublemakers" and directed action against them.

Acting on a PIL that claimed people's fundamental right to liberty would be affected by the order, a division bench held that the police observer had "erred in issuing a blanket direction by treating certain citizens as troublemakers".

The division bench presided by Chief Justice Sujoy Paul stayed the effect and operation of the April 21 order till June 30.