Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday alleged political vendetta after police and civic authorities took action at a party office, claiming that TMC workers were manhandled and that the party’s signboard was forcibly removed.
Banerjee said the All India Trinamool Congress had already moved the Calcutta High Court over the matter and that the petition was likely to be taken up on Friday.
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“We have already taken the matter to the High Court, and the case is sub judice. We filed a petition before the High Court today, and the hearing is scheduled for tomorrow,” Banerjee said, adding that the party would pursue the matter legally and approach the Supreme Court if necessary.
He alleged that party workers were manhandled, their clothes were torn and some women were molested during the action. He also questioned the role of police personnel, claiming that some people involved were in civilian clothes and had no visible identification.
Banerjee said the office was legally rented in the name of the All India Trinamool Congress and that rent had been paid regularly for several years. He rejected claims that the premises were illegal and demanded that the authorities produce the relevant civic documents and demolition order.
“Even if something is allegedly illegal, you cannot just break it. There has to be a proper legal procedure,” he said.
The TMC leader alleged that locks were broken and claimed that one party worker was nearly pushed over a seventh-floor railing during the alleged chaos. He said the party had video footage and other evidence that it would place before the judiciary and appropriate authorities.
Banerjee repeatedly questioned whether the Corporation had issued a valid order authorising the action. He maintained that the sign removed from the premises was the board of a political office and not a commercial hoarding.
“Show me the actual Corporation order authorising this demolition,” he said, alleging that the action had been carried out without due process or a proper hearing.
Accusing the BJP of being politically motivated, Banerjee said, “Why are you so afraid of the Trinamool Congress?” He alleged that sections of the police were acting alongside BJP cadres.
He also questioned the timing of the action, claiming it was carried out around evening without following the required legal procedure.
Banerjee said the party would seek action against every official found to have acted outside the constitutional framework. He added that the TMC would place its allegations of assault, molestation, vandalism, detention and other alleged incidents before the High Court and other appropriate authorities.
“The Constitution of this country is above everyone,” Banerjee said, asserting that no government, political party or police officer was above the law.
The matter is likely to be taken up by the Calcutta High Court on Friday, according to Banerjee.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
