A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission of India’s decision to appoint Uttar Pradesh cadre IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma is an Election Observer for the West Bengal Assembly elections.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission of India’s decision to appoint Uttar Pradesh cadre IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma is an Election Observer for the West Bengal Assembly elections.

The PIL was filed late last night by Aditya Das, who alleged that the officer is “highly partisan” and has been threatening political candidates.

Referring to Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the plea states that an observer is meant to “watch the conduct of the elections” and act as a neutral institutional safeguard. According to the petitioner, the role is intended to build public trust in the electoral process. 

However, it is argued that Ajay Pal Sharma’s actions “stand in stark violation of the functions of the observer.” The petition seeks directions from the court to set aside Sharma’s appointment and to ensure that election observers remain independent and impartial while carrying out their duties.

The development comes amid a political row over Sharma’s role. Two days ago, the BJP’s West Bengal unit posted on social media that “IPS Ajay Pal Sharma, the encounter specialist and Singham of UP police, is deployed as police observer of South 24 Parganas,” adding that he had “read the riot act” to family members of TMC candidate Jehangir Khan. Videos purportedly showing the officer issuing warnings have also surfaced online. The Trinamool Congress has opposed Sharma’s appointment, questioning his neutrality.

Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday declined to hear a similar plea challenging Sharma’s appointment, observing that it cannot interfere with the ongoing election process.