Kolkata High Court Orders West Bengal Government to Submit Affidavit on Stamp Paper Shortage by November 20
The Kolkata High Court demands an affidavit from West Bengal over a sudden shortage of stamp papers, with a hearing set for December 11.
Kolkata, October 20 (Daily Kiran) : The Kolkata High Court’s vacation bench has instructed the West Bengal government to file an affidavit regarding a sudden shortage of ₹10 and ₹20 stamp papers in the market. This directive comes after a petitioner raised concerns about the unavailability of these essential documents.
During the hearing on Tuesday, Chief Justice Ravindra Vitthalrao Ghuge and Justice Mohammad Shabbar Rashidi presided over the case. The bench mandated that the state government submit its affidavit by November 20. Additionally, the petitioner, Surjit Mandal, has been ordered to file his own affidavit by November 27. The next hearing is scheduled for December 11.
Mandal alleged that over 25,000 stamp papers were seized from authorized vendors using police force. He claimed these stamp papers were being distributed across various police stations, causing difficulties for the general public in obtaining them.
The petitioner also referenced a Supreme Court order related to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and its election symbol, alleging that a faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee, named the ‘Democratic Trinamool Congress,’ has hoarded a significant number of stamp papers. He accused the state administration and police of being influenced to utilize these papers in affidavits linked to statements made by TMC supporters.
According to the petitioner, the police have been going door-to-door to collect signatures from TMC grassroots workers on the stamp papers, despite the faction’s limited membership. This practice raises questions about the legality of collecting and using stamp papers, given existing laws and registration rules governing such activities.
Mandal urged the Kolkata High Court to order the police to halt this collection process and to seize any stamp papers gathered through these means. During the Tuesday afternoon hearing, the state government dismissed the allegations, asserting its intention to present a detailed report to the court. Following this, the court reiterated its instruction for the government to file an affidavit by November 20.
