Nandigram recounting case: High Court accepts Mamata’s plea, asks EC to keep voting records safe

Accepting the Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata BanerjeeThe petition for hearing, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed that notice be served to Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, whose victory in the assembly elections from Nandigram was challenged by him. Justice Shampa Sarkar directed that Banerjee’s election petition would be heard on August 12.

The judge directed that in the meantime, notice be issued to the BJP legislative officer and other parties in the matter. Justice Sarkar said as per a report received by his bench from the High Court administration, the election petition was filed in compliance with the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.

The court also directed the Election Commission to preserve all records and equipment relating to elections in Nandigram. The matter was referred to a bench of Justice Sarkar by Acting Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal after Justice Kaushik Chanda recused himself from hearing the Trinamool Congress chief’s plea.