SANKAR PRASAD DATTA Vs. ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By means of filing the instant writ petition, the writ petitioner, Sri Sankar Prasad Datta, who is a contesting candidate from 1-Tripura West Parliamentary Constituency, has prayed for the following reliefs:

(2.) The main contention of the writ petitioner is that the respondent-Election Commission of India has failed to discharge its statutory obligations to ensure free and fair poll to the ongoing election process in 1-Tripura West Parliamentary Constituency being notified to hold the 17th Parliamentary elections. It is further stated that the action of the respondent No. 3 only accentuated the degrading law and order situation in the constituency. There was no deployment of forces in the booths and adjoining areas to maintain peace and calm. Many anti-social elements and hooligans were seen to be entering the houses of the supporters of the left front and created an atmosphere of terror and fear amongst the people that ultimately resulted in less voter turnout during the elections.

(3.) Mr. B.R. Bhattacharjee, learned senior counsel assisted by Mr. T.D. Majumdar, learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioner has submitted that on the day of election in many booths web cam machineries though installed but were removed at 4.30 p.m. and many web cams were not operative and there were certain booths where there was not at all any installation of web camera.