Mamata Banerjee Argues Post-Poll Violence Case in Calcutta High Court

In a significant development that garnered widespread attention, former West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee appeared before the Calcutta High Court on Thursday, May 14, 2026, dressed in a black lawyer's gown. She personally argued in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) case concerning allegations of widespread post-poll violence in the state. The core of her submission to the Division Bench, headed by Chief Justice HC Sujoy Pal, was a strong denial that West Bengal operates as a 'bulldozer state' and a serious accusation against the police for allegedly failing to register First Information Reports (FIRs) in cases related to the violence. She was quoted by Live Law and other news outlets as saying, 'my humble submission is to please protect the people of Bengal. This is not a bulldozer state.' She further stated, 'Please tell police to behave properly. They are not allowing FIRs to be lodged.' The PIL, which brought Banerjee to court in her advocate's attire, was filed by Shirshanya Bandopadhyay, a lawyer with the Calcutta High Court and the son of senior TMC leader and advocate Kalyan Bandopadhyay. The petition alleged attacks on political workers and party offices following the Assembly elections, which had seen the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) come to power in the state for the first time. During her appearance, Mamata Banerjee, who obtained her law degree from Jogesh Chandra College of Law in 1982, highlighted her professional background, telling the court, 'my regard to all the judges because this is my first time appearing in HC. As a lawyer I'm fighting this case.' She underscored the severity of the situation, claiming that violence and intimidation were ongoing in various areas and called for immediate judicial intervention. She presented photographic evidence and detailed incidents of looting of houses and offices, which she alleged were occurring 'in front of police.' Banerjee also raised concerns about the communal aspect of the violence, stating, 'Out of ten dead, six are Hindus. Please tell police to behave properly.' She further alleged that the violence was escalating daily, impacting livelihoods and causing threats, including to '12-year-old girls being threatened with rape' within her family. These grave accusations painted a picture of a deteriorating law and order situation in the state following the elections. Her appearance in a lawyer's gown at the High Court sparked considerable political and legal discourse. While her party, the Trinamool Congress, used her presence to emphasize her commitment to justice and the people of Bengal, stating that she 'never abandons the people of Bengal in their hour of need' and fights for 'truth, justice, and constitutional values,' some comments on social media referred to her appearance as a 'fancy dress competition.' This reflects the highly charged political atmosphere surrounding the post-poll violence allegations. She had previously appeared in the Supreme Court concerning the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in West Bengal, making submissions but not formally arguing as counsel. The ongoing allegations of post-poll violence have been a contentious issue in West Bengal since the assembly elections. The PIL by Shirshanya Bandopadhyay, and Mamata Banerjee's direct involvement in arguing the case, signifies the serious nature of the accusations and the Trinamool Congress's efforts to seek judicial recourse. The court's proceedings are expected to continue, as the matter remains under active judicial consideration. The news article from Live Law, corroborated by multiple other credible Indian news outlets such as India Today, The Times of India, The Indian Express, Deccan Herald, Mint, and The Statesman, accurately reports on the events of May 14, 2026. The headline directly quotes Mamata Banerjee's key statements, reflecting the crux of her argument in court. The story is a factual account of a significant political and legal development in India, specifically concerning West Bengal.

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