HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION Present: THE HON’BLE JUSTICE JAY SENGUPTA WPA 27737 of 2026 Seratim Saikh and others Versus The State of West Bengal & Ors. For the petitioners Mr. Pratip Kumar Chatterjee, Sr. Adv. Mr. Chittapriya Ghosh Ms. Maitrayee Chatterjee For the State Mr. Amarendra Chakraborty Mr. Vaibhav Prakash Heard on 29.09.2026 Judgment on 29.09.2026 JAY SENGUPTA, J: This is an application praying for direction upon the respondent authorities, especially the Block Development Officer and the prescribed authority, Berhampore Development Block being the respondent No.5 herein to hold a meeting for removal of the Upa-Pradhan of Sahajadpur Gram Panchayat in 2 Berhampore Development Block on 30.09.2026, which had already been fixed, by taking police assistance and providing security and safety to the requisitionists parties and also for a direction upon the I.C. of Berhampore being the respondent No.6 herein to provide adequate police force. Affidavit of service filed in Court is taken on record Report filed by the State is also taken on record. Despite service no one appears on behalf of the private respondent although the State is represented. Learned counsel representing the petitioners submits that the petitioners are the elected members of the last panchayat election in the said panchayat from different political parties. They have lost confidence on the Upa-Pradhan. The petitioners sent a requisition notice on 03.09.2026 to the prescribed authority for convening a meeting for removal of the Upa- Pradhan viz Bandita Mondal. The petitioners also sent the requisition by registered post in terms of the West Bengal Panchayat Act, 1976. After receiving the notice, the prescribed authority issued a notice dated 17.09.2026 convening a meeting on 30.09.2026 at 12 noon. However, there is an apprehension of breach of peace in the area. Therefore, necessary police protection ought to be provided by the I.C. Berhampore Police Station. 3 Learned counsel for the State opposes the prayer. However, he relies on the report and submits that the police would provide necessary protection for the meeting which would be held, as may be directed by this Court. It appears that the meeting has been fixed on 30.09.2026 at 12 noon and the police authorities are ready and willing to provide necessary security for holding the meeting. In view of the above and in the interest of justice, the writ petition is disposed of by directing the respondent authorities to have the meeting held as scheduled. The respondent No.6 shall provide necessary police protection to ensure the safety and security of the requisitionists and/or participants. Parties shall be at liberty to communicate a gist of this order. Urgent certified copy of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the parties upon compliance of all requisite formalities. (Jay Sengupta, J) 25/SG