September 21, 2026 (26) ARDR WPA 26348 of 2026 Md. Manjarul Haque & ors. Vs. The State of West Bengal & ors. Adv. Mrityunjoy Chatterjee, Adv. Manas Das, Adv. Suchismita Chakraborty, Adv. Arka Roy, …for the petitioners. Affidavit of service filed by the petitioners is taken on record. The State is not represented despite service. Mr. Anup Dasgupta, advocate and Mr. Goutam Acharjee, advocate who usually appear for the State and are present in Court today, are requested to appear for the State in this matter. Their appointment be regularised by the concerned authority. The petitioners are directed to serve copy of the writ petition along with annexure thereto upon Mr. Dasgupta, advocate in course of this day. The office of the Upa Pradhan of Jatradanga Gram Panchayat fell vacant upon removal of the Upa Pradhan pursuant to a no confidence motion submitted by the members of the Panchayat. By a notice issued on 9th September, 2026, the Prescribed Authority fixed the date of election of the new Upa Pradhan on 24th September, 2026. The petitioners seek a direction upon the police authority to render necessary assistance to the Prescribed Authority 2 so that the meeting is held without any disturbance from any corner whatsoever. In view of the fact that the meeting for election of the new Upa Pradhan has been fixed on 24th September, 2026, the Inspector in charge, Malda Police Station, being the 7th respondent herein, is directed to render necessary police assistance to the Prescribed Authority and Block Development Officer, Old Malda Development Block, being the 5th respondent herein, so that the meeting is held peacefully without any hindrance from any corner whatsoever. The said authority shall ensure safe passage of the members of the Panchayat to the venue of the meeting so that they are able to cast their votes freely, safely and independently. The writ petition is accordingly disposed of. There shall however, be no order as to costs. Since no affidavit is invited, the allegations contained in the petition are deemed not to have been admitted. Urgent certified website copy of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the parties upon compliance with all requisite formalities. (Suvra Ghosh, J.)