BENGAL RETAINS POST-POLL VIOLENCE TRIALS AS CBI WITHDRAWS BID FOR OUT-OF-STATE HEARINGS

October 29, 2026

KOLKATA, OCTOBER 29, 2026: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has withdrawn its petitions seeking to transfer several post-poll violence cases in West Bengal to courts outside the state, clearing the way for the trials to proceed within Bengal’s judicial system.

The agency had approached the Calcutta High Court seeking the transfer of cases arising from violence reported after the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections. The petitions reflected concerns over the circumstances in which the cases would be tried and the administration of justice within the state.

During the proceedings, the CBI informed the court that it no longer wished to pursue the transfer requests. The withdrawal means the cases will remain before the competent courts in West Bengal, subject to further judicial directions.

The post-poll violence cases concern allegations of assaults, killings and other offences following the Assembly election results. The CBI had been directed to investigate certain serious cases after the Calcutta High Court intervened in 2021, while other matters were assigned to a state-appointed special investigation team.

The violence became a major political controversy, with opposition parties accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress of failing to prevent attacks on political opponents. The allegations have been contested, and individual criminal cases must be decided on the evidence presented before the courts.

The CBI’s decision to withdraw the transfer petitions marks a procedural development in the long-running litigation. It does not determine the guilt or innocence of the accused, nor does it conclude the underlying criminal proceedings.

The next stage will depend on the progress of the individual trials and any further directions issued by the relevant courts.