Calcutta High Court Withdraws Protection to BJP Leader Suvendu Adhikari, Orders SIT Probe in Select Cases

Calcutta High Court Withdraws Protection to BJP Leader Suvendu Adhikari, Orders SIT Probe in Select Cases
The Calcutta High Court on Friday withdrew the earlier protection granted to West Bengal Leader of the Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, which required prior court permission before registering any FIR against him. The court also quashed 15 FIRs lodged in various districts but directed the formation of Special Investigation Teams (SITs) to probe four other pending cases. The bench observed that “no individual, irrespective of position, can claim perpetual immunity from legal proceedings.” In December 2022, the High Court had granted Mr. Adhikari protection citing concerns of political vendetta. The latest ruling, however, emphasizes that the criminal justice process must take its course. BJP leaders termed the decision “selective,” while the Trinamool Congress welcomed it, saying it would ensure accountability. The SITs have been instructed to submit progress reports to the court within a stipulated time frame.